Estimation of total annual mercury emissions from cement manufacturing facilities in Korea

This study examined mercury (Hg) emissions from cement manufacturing facilities in Korea. Hg concentrations in stack gases from a kiln at the largest cement manufacturing facility (CMF) in Korea were measured using three different methods: a wet-chemical method and on-line measurements with two different types of conversion systems (SnCl2 and thermal) attached in front of each analyzer. The Hg concentrations of the feedstocks and fuels were then analyzed to determine the total amount of Hg input into CMFs and how much each material contributed to the Hg input. The total annual Hg input into all CMFs in Korea was estimated to be 1.71 tons, while the total annual Hg emissions estimated from the stack-gas measurement was 1.17–1.53 tons, indicating that 68–89% of total Hg input is released into the atmosphere. Therefore, more stringent regulation and effective control technologies should be applied to the CMFs to reduce Hg emissions.

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► Mercury concentrations of stack gases from cement kiln were measured.
► Feedstocks and fuels used in cement kiln were analyzed for their mercury contents.
► Majority of mercury input were released to the atmosphere without being controlled.
► Total annual mercury emissions from cement manufacturing facilities were estimated.
► Cement manufacturing facilities are one of major sources of mercury emissions.