Since the anthropogenic emissions of mercury into environment were mostly entering the atmosphere through flue gas, continuous monitoring of mercury in the flue gas was significant for mercury emission control. A bench scale test rig was set up for the measurement of mercury through both wet chemical method and CVAAS (cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry) with single optical path. The concentration of Hg in absorbent solution was determined by Hydra AA mercury analyzer. The concentration of Hg in gas was calculated in terms of wet chemical testing results, which showed a stable rate of permeation device. Hg atom absorption signal intensity was detected and analyzed in comparison with the test results of wet chemical methods according to Beer-Lambert law. Experimental data well agreed with the theory analysis, which indicated that the single optical path was suitable for the determination of trace Hg element in pure gas. Further research work should aim at the improvement of system adaptability and anti-jamming ability. To reduce the intensity fluctuation of mercury lamp, another spectral line could be detected simultaneously. Interference from surroundings, e.g. dust in gas or spot on the quartz surface, could be eliminated by optoelectronic coupling.