Mercury emissions monitoring from seawater flue gas desulfurization

Background
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) announces an open competition for an organization interested in submitting an application to implement a project aimed advancing implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury by building capacity for continuous monitoring of mercury emissions in salt water and air near coal power plants that utilize seawater flue gas desulfurization.

Grant Details
Seawater flue gas desulphurization (SWFGD) units are deployed in coastal areas, predominantly in South-East Asian countries, and are a cost-effective pollution control mechanism, which scrubs sulfur from coal fired power plant stack effluent before returning the waste directly back into the sea. This method is highly effective in preventing sulfur emissions into the air; however, it’s estimated that SWFGD may also transfer up to 85-90% of mercury from flue gas into seawater. There are significant uncertainties in data related to the installed capacity and geographical distribution of SWFGD, and in their pollution potential. OES seeks to reduce mercury discharge into marine environments from SWFGD systems by piloting methods and building local capacity for continuous monitoring of mercury emissions in salt water and air near coal power plants that utilize SWFGD in Thailand and/or Indonesia.

Eligibility Requirements
U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations with or without 501(c) (3) status of the U.S. tax code; foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernment organizations (NGO); U.S.-based private, public, or state institutions of higher education; Foreign-based institutions of higher education

Period of Performance
36 months

Grant Value
$400,000

Place of Performance
Thailand and/or Indonesia