MACT Compliance and New FGD and DeNO_x Approaches Are the Two Hot Topics Next Week

On Wednesday, April 6 at 9:30 a.m. CDT free of charge, you can hear words of wisdom on MACT compliance. On Thursday, April 7 at our regular 10 a.m. webinar you will learn about new approaches to removing SO_x and NO_x.

New FGD and DeNOx Approaches is “Hot Topic” on Thursday April 7, 2011 at 10 a.m. CDT

The CAIR replacement rule, the regional haze rule, the NAAQS revisions, GHG regulations and the utility MACT will all push fossil fuel-fired power plants to reduce NO_x and SO₂ even more while at the same time increasing their combustion efficiency. All of this comes at the same time that many plants are running out of real estate for more add on controls and facing economics that will force plant closure rather than upgrading of emission control systems. With these same regulations also targeting further reductions in mercury and PM_2.5

and adding limits on acid gases, non-mercury metal and organic HAPs, utilities are looking for the most economical method to meet the expected regulations within their space and resource limitations.

The McIlvaine Company has estimated that over the next 12 years owners of coal-fired power plants will spend $200 billion dollars to add FGD systems to existing and new coal-fired power plants. The decision on which FGD technology to install will be shaped by the need or desire to be “carbon capture ready”.  If SO₂ concentrations in stack gases as low as 10 ppm are deemed to be necessary to ensure good operation of a carbon capture scrubber, then this will be an important parameter in scrubber selection. Since it will be difficult for dry scrubbers to meet these limits, wet scrubbers may be the most probable choice.

Since NO_x control became an issue for fossil fuel-fired power plants many years ago, the industry has made many advancements in the technology for controlling NO_x to improve performance both in reductions achieved and reducing operating costs. The technologies include boiler and burner modifications, new designs for boilers and burners, optimization controls and software, combustion additives and add on SCR and SNCR systems.  Can these current methods meet the expected tighter emission limits and can they contribute to reductions in other regulated pollutants?

The following speakers will discuss the current “state of the art” for FGD and DeNO_x systems, describe the capabilities and limitations of current control systems and technology, the latest advancements in control technology being developed or tested and what still needs to be done to allow the utility industry to comply with the coming MACT and the other regulations.

Robert (Bob) Crynack, Business Development Manager for Air Emissions at FMC Corporation. will discuss the use of hydrogen peroxide to control NO_x from combustion sources and industrial processes.  Injection of peroxide into existing ducts oxidizes the NO_x, primarily NO, to other nitrogen species that can be captured by the existing downstream FGD equipment. Simple equipment means low capital and maintenance costs.  Modest chemical usage suggests modest operational costs, which vary based on NO_x content of the gas steam, removal requirements and hours of operation.  Current NO_x reduction levels are around 40 percent, but FMC is optimistic that reductions of over 60 percent can be cost effectively achieved.  FMC is the exclusive licensee of a NASA patent for this process.

Shiaw Tseng, Marketing Manager at Graymont, will discuss the lime-based Circulating Dry Scrubbers (CDS) to comply with the Proposed Utility MACT.  With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, a multi-pollutant control project was successfully executed at AES Greenidge station located at Dresden, NY.  A key component of this project was the installation of a lime-based circulating dry scrubber (CDS) to remove SO₂, SO₃, HCl, and HF.  A series of emission tests were conducted to determine the loadings and emissions of PM, HCl, HF, SO₃, and Hg (with speciation).  Those data showed that a well designed and operated CDS unit with a baghouse can bring the emissions of PM, HCl, and Hg in compliance with the Utility MACT proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on March 16, 2011.

Ken Jeffers, SCR Applications Engineer at Johnson Matthey Catalysts LLC

Sebastian Hirschberg, Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc.

To register for the "Hot Topics" on Wednesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 10 a.m. CDT (Chicago time), click on: http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/hot_topic_hour_registration.htm

Bob McIlvaine

President

847 784 0012 ext 112

rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com

www.mcilvainecompany.com