ADA-ES has formed Crowfoot Development, a joint venture with ECP and parent company of RREP, focused on the production of activated carbon (AC) for the mercury emissions control market for coal-fired power plants. RREP is building the AC production facility to address the pressing need for clean coal technologies. Coal currently powers over 50% of the electricity generated in the USA. Due to its abundance and relatively low, stable price, coal is expected to remain a key energy source in the U.S. However, the more than 1,100 coal-fueled power plant boilers in the US emit about 48 t/y of mercury, or about 37% of all human-caused mercury emissions in the USA.

ADA-ES says its AC has been proven to be capable of reducing mercury emissions by up to 90%. “If Federal mercury control legislation is enacted or regulations are adopted, AC would represent a potential sustainable market of up to $1 billion per year.”

The first production line of the first facility will be capable of producing 125 to 175 Mlb/y of AC and is expected to come on-line in 2010. In addition, the air permit for the facility allows for a second production line, which, if constructed, would be capable of producing up to an additional 175 Mlb/y of AC. Crowfoot has plans to develop additional facilities in the future, including the possible construction of this second production line.