Droughts and Water Shortage Is a Large Opportunity for Treatment and Flow
Providers
Many countries are facing major economic and political problems due to water
shortages. However, a combination of new technologies and more intelligent water
use can virtually eliminate the problem while boosting the economy. This is the
conclusion reached by the McIlvaine Company in Air/Gas/Water/Fluid Treatment and
Control: World Market. (www.mcilvainecompany.com)
Israel is the shining example of what can be done. Not only was water in short
supply a decade ago, but the available supply has shrunk further due to
droughts. However, Israel now has a water surplus and a booming economy. The
reason is it has embraced the latest desalination technologies and has adopted a
policy of water reuse. Eighty percent of the water now used in Israeli cities is
desalinated seawater. All municipal wastewater is reused. Furthermore, Israel
has led the world in drip irrigation.
The Amiad, Arkal and other filter technologies developed in Israel were
originally to filter water which has to move through tiny drip tubes and must be
free of contamination. So Israel is now the headquarters for a number of
international filtration companies. Amiad has developed into a $100 million
corporation.
Desalination is decreasing in cost while the true cost of water from fresh
sources continues to rise. San Diego is installing a large desalination system
rather than rely on imported water. Water shortages in the Southwest U.S. are
causing municipalities to rethink pricing of water. In fact, in some of the
hardest hit communities, water prices are actually lower than in some Eastern
cities where water is plentiful. If cities reset prices to levels based on
demand, the cost of desalination will be comparatively attractive in many areas
of the U.S.
Treated municipal wastewater should replace fresh water at power plants. Studies
show that there are power plants in the proximity of nearly all large municipal
wastewater treatment plants. There are chemical and physical treatment methods
to make treated wastewater acceptable for all power plant requirements.
There are many technology advances which make desalination more cost effective.
Larger membrane modules with lower pressure drop are now available. The recovery
of reverse osmosis pump energy is another. Pre filters caused problems at Tampa
Bay. However, there are reliable inexpensive pre filters which are available.
Improvements in treatment chemicals keep the membrane surfaces clean. Improved
pumps and valves reduce maintenance expense. Cost effective corrosion resistant
materials are also now available.
For more information on Air/Gas/Water/Fluid Treatment and Control: World Market,
click on:
http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/27-water/445-n064-air-gas-water-fluid-treatment.
Large Gas Turbine Aftermarket
Gas turbines are the leading choice for additional capacity in the U.S. and
Europe. As a result, in 2015 installed gas turbines will be capable of
generating 1.3 million MW of electricity. This large and growing installed base
has generated a substantial market for turbine components, steam cycle
components, intake air filters and treatment chemicals. A number of McIlvaine
publications forecast these expenditures and track the individual plant
activity.
The trend is away from peaking units and toward combined cycle operation. One
reason is the higher global warming potential of peaking units. The aftermarket
potential for a combined cycle plant is 20 percent higher than for a peaking
plant with the same electrical output. However, sales of some products are
lower. Air intake filters and gas turbine component replacement sales are lower.
However, steam turbine, HRSG, water filtration, pump and valve replacement sales
are higher.
Many new plants are opting for zero liquid discharge. There are two options. One
is dry cooling. Many Chinese plants are being equipped with air cooled
condensers. This is due to the water scarcity in the country. Some new gas
turbines in the U.S. are also opting for dry cooling. Most new turbines in the
arid southwest are being equipped with air cooled condensers. Some new plants in
areas where water is plentiful have also opted for dry cooling. The reason is to
fast track construction and avoid water permit requirements.
A second option is to use wet cooling with water recycling. A bleed loop is
directed to a filtration and evaporation system. This results in pure water
recovery and waste which can be disposed as a solid. This option has become
quite popular. It can be combined with use of municipal wastewater to eliminate
any water withdrawal.
The frequent cycling of turbine units which are working in tandem with solar and
wind generation has resulted in a larger repair market than for units operating
in a steady state. Problems such as stellite delamination of valves have been
encountered.
For more information on the projects and turbine markets click on: 59EI Gas
Turbine and Combined Cycle Supplier Program
For more information on air intake filters, click on N022 Air Filtration and
Purification World Market
For more information on valves, click on N028 Industrial Valves: World Market
For more information on the water treatment, click on N029 Ultrapure Water:
World Market
“Gas Turbine Emission Control” Webinar on July 17th Will Focus On NOx, CO and
Toxics
This webinar will build on previous ones and a whole dedicated site Gas Turbine
Emission Control - Continuous Analyses
Panelists will include:
Greg Holscher, Sr. Applications Engineer, CERAM Environmental, Inc.
Joshua Gillespie, EmeraChem
Thomas "Nathan" White, Director, Business Development, SCR/DeNOx Catalyst &
Technology, Haldor Topsoe, Inc.
Glenn C. England, Principal Consultant, Environ International Corporation
The webinar will include some brief presentations, but will evolve into a
collaborative discussion of the choices which turbine owners will have to make
to meet State and Federal emission limits and also ambient air quality limits
and tough limits to obtain construction permits. The unique challenges of
frequent cycling on both maintenance and exceedances also need to be considered.
NOx, CO, PM and VOCs all have to be considered. With the need to introduce
ammonia for NOx reduction, an additional potential pollutant, NH3, needs to be
considered. The choice of catalyst is most difficult for units operating in a
single cycle mode. The choice is either high temperature catalyst or tempering
air and lower temperature catalyst. Each has advantages and disadvantages.
When both NOx and oxidation catalyst are incorporated, there are options
relative to location of each. Many plants are opting to convert urea-to-ammonia
on-site rather than use anhydrous or aqueous ammonia. There are cost and safety
considerations in making this choice.
These issues and others will be discussed. The webinar is free to power plant
operators. To join us next Thursday, July 17th at 10:00 a.m. you can register
at: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/component/content/article?id=675.
McIlvaine Hot Topic Hour Registration
On Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting
on important energy and pollution control subjects. Power webinars are free for
subscribers to either Power Plant Air Quality Decisions or Utility Tracking
System. The cost is $300.00 for non-subscribers.
See below for information on upcoming Hot Topic Hours. We welcome your input
relative to suggested additions.
DATE SUBJECT
July
17 Gas Turbine Emission Control
24 Wet Calcium FGD
31 Mercury Sorbent Options
August
7 MATS Timing and Technology Options
14 Industrial Boiler and Cement MACT Timing and Compliance Options
21 MEGA Symposium
28 Demineralization and Degasification
September
4 Hot Gas Filtration
11 Power Plant Pumps
18 Power Water Monitoring
25 Power Plant Water Treatment Chemicals
Click here for the Subscriber and Power Plant Owner/Operator Registration Form
Click here for the Non-Subscribers Registration Form
Click here for the Free Hot Topic Hour Registration Form
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You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at:
http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=5
Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com