Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were applied to control heavy metals in incineration flue gas. Three heavy metal species (Cr, Cd and Pb), three ACFs, various adsorption temperatures (150, 250 and 300 degrees C) and weights of ACFs were experimentally determined. The results indicated that the effects of the type of ACF and the weight of the ACFs on the solid-state Cr removal were insignificant. The extent of solid-state Cd and Ph removal was related to the knitting structure of ACFs and the physical characteristic of the metals. The removal efficiencies of the solid-state and gaseous metals at various reaction temperature followed the order 250 > 150 > 300 degrees C and 300 > 250 > 150 degrees C, respectively. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.