Hard-Working Bacteria Removes Mercury From Coal

They have found a cost-effective way to remove the toxic mercury that occurs naturally in coal and pollutes air, land and water when the coal is burned to generate power.

WVU Tech researchers and students isolated and identified bacteria naturally living in coal slurry ponds. Once concentrated, these bacteria interact with the mercury and convert it into a pure liquid metal.

The mercury can then be removed from the water, harvested and possibly sold for commercial use.

"In the lab, we have proven the viability of the science, and we are planning a large-scale field test," said Richard Schoening, chair of the WVU Tech Chemistry Department.

"However, the big hurdle is working with engineers to discover the most efficient way to implement the technology in energy production," Schoening said. "We are applying for funding for a new lab focusing on this type of research."

The university has launched a fundraising campaign with a $1.75 million goal. They funds will be used to convert a large room now used for storage into a new lab for Schoening's research.

The new technology removes 95 to 100 percent of the toxic mercury from the treated water, which reduces the ecological impact of converting coal into energy.

The new technology is attracting interest from the West Virginia Coal Association and some individual coal companies. Illinois state Rep. Dan Reitz, a Democrat and a coal miner, visited the campus May 5 to view the process in action.

The bacteria could be used to clean mercury from the coal sludge ponds dot the landscape of West Virginia and other mining areas across the country.

Other possible applications could focus on cleaning emissions from coal-burning power plants or the removal of other harmful materials such as selenium. A patent is pending on this process also.

This project is one component of WVU Tech's focus on the science of energy production. The institution is offering new curriculum on the chemistry of renewable energy.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2008. All rights reserved.