Fate and abatement of mercury and other trace elements in a coal fluidised bed oxy combustion pilot plant

► The fate of elements and properties of ashes were evaluated in BFB coal oxy-combustion plant. ► High abatement for SO2 and NOx (99.9%), Hg (92.5%) and remaining elements (99.9%) is obtained. ► Low retention for Cl is achieved (19%), being the main impurity for subsequent CO2 treatment. ► Most of the gaseous Hg occurs in the exhaust gas as Hg0 (81%).