Research progress on emission and control technologies of arsenic, selenium and lead in coal-fired power plants

Coal is the most significant source of energy generation in China, but the high content of arsenic/selenium/lead in coal has made coal-fired power plants become one of the main anthropogenic emission sources of them. To solve the serious problem on arsenic/selenium/lead pollution from coal-fired power plants, this paper firstly introduces the discharge and harmfulness of arsenic/selenium/lead released from coal-fired power plants, and summarizes the relevant domestic and foreign regulations on heavy metals emission control, then points out that it is necessary to control their emission from coal-fired power plants in China. Secondly, the migration and transformation behaviors of arsenic/selenium/lead during coal combustion are illustrated from the perspectives of occurrence form, speciation transformation and mass distribution, focusing on their speciation characteristics and size distribution in particulate matters. Finally, the control technologies pre-, in- and post-combustion are reviewed, and the research progress on their removal by adsorbents and air pollution control devices (APCDs) is described in detail. Meanwhile, the potential for strengthening the removal by electrostatic precipitators equipped with low temperature economizer and agglomeration technologies is discussed. In conclusion, it is aimed to provide reference and guidance for realization of ultra-low emission of arsenic/selenium/lead in coal-fired power plants.