Over 50% of the electric power generated in the U.S. comes from the use of coal. Gasification is an important strategy for increasing the utilization of abundant domestic coal reserves and is a key to the improved power generation thermal efficiency of IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycle). The Dept. of Energy envisions increased use of gasification during the next several decades, particularly for its adaptability to remove carbon dioxide. As such, gasification-based technology strives to approach a near-zero emissions goal with respect to pollutants. To that end, scientists at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Johnson Matthey Inc., Malvern, Pa., and London, England, have created the High-Temperature Palladium Sorbent to Remove Mercury and Other Trace Elements in Gasification Processes, a scrubbing process that, as its name implies, removes mercury and other trace contaminants, such as arsenic and selenium, from high-temperature gases produced by the gasification of coal.

Compared to low-temperature capture by activated carbon, high-temperature capture of these trace elements retains the high thermal efficiency of the coal gasification process in IGCC power plants. Additionally, when the technology is implemented, the entire U.S. will benefit from low-cost electric rates, and ambient air will be free of the air toxin mercury.