April 19, 2007

GE System Approach Results in Mercury Removal with Less Sorbent and Lower NO_x

Wednesday GE presented pilot and field data on a holistic approach to mercury control. This special webinar was facilitated by the McIlvaine Company. The recording is available for viewing at http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/ge_april18_webinar.htm

Combustion optimization results in NO_x reduction while providing a uniform distribution of high carbon ash (LOI). A number of adjustments are necessary in the precipitator to maintain the opacity and emission levels while injecting activated carbon. GE is in a position to engineer these changes both in the boiler and the precipitator. The target plants are those with large and medium precipitators which are burning low sulfur coals. Reductions of 30 percent or more in sorbent needs have been demonstrated in several plants in the U.S. and Canada.

There are several additional technologies which can be utilized. The Max 9 is a hybrid precipitator/baghouse which has been demonstrated to require lower pressure drop than a conventional baghouse. GE is also one of the largest CEMS integrators. The coordination of mercury control and measurement is critical.

In answer to a question from one of the utilities, GE said that it was in a position to make fleet-wide analyses relative to the use of this holistic technology.

The potential of adding biomass reburn to the system would add the CO₂ mitigation advantage while further reducing NO_x and providing a supplemental fuel source. This could result in greater electrical output. GE has done decades of work on reburn technologies. It is also working with a number of European utilities on co-firing of biomass.

Dampers and Expansion Joints were Hot Topics April 19

The McIlvaine Hot Topic Hour discussion on April 19 was on dampers and expansion joints for Power Plant Air Quality applications. Here are summaries of the various presentations.

Jeff Korth – Effox

Effox has experience with both slide gate and louver dampers. More than 60 FGD systems and 15 SCR systems are equipped with Effox slide gates. More than 30 FGD and 60 SCR systems are equipped with Effox louvers. More than 15 FGD systems and 25 SCR systems are equipped with Effox duct expansion joints. There are advantages to buying the dampers and expansion joints as a package. The expansion joints can be attached to the damper prior to shipment thus eliminating a construction cost. The presentation provides insights on decisions relative to damper selection.

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

FGD and SCR Damper & Expansion Joint Presentation - Hot Topic Hour April 19, 2007

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Effox McIlvaine Presentation.htm

John Powell – Wahlco Metroflex

The company is a supplier of expansion joints and dampers for FGD systems and for other segments of the boiler and back end flue gas system.

The Flex-Seat^™ is used in several applications with the following advantages:

·        Zero leakage to atmosphere w/o using seal air,

·        Heavy duty construction with membrane blade,

·        Rack and pinion drive and enclosed bonnet, and

·        Heavy duty seal replaceable from inside duct.

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

FlexSeat, Louver and Tandem Louver Dampers - Hot Topic Hour April 19, 2007.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/WahcoMetroflex Dampers.htm

Michael Green - KE Burgmann

KE Burgmann has FGD application products at 350 power plants worldwide – over 6,000 expansion joints in service. It manufactures PTFE laminated materials in-house as well as FKM laminates. It manufactures fabric and rubber expansion joints for FGD and many other markets. It also manufactures highly engineered fabric expansion joints for use in high temperature gas turbine installations worldwide.

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/KE Burgmann Expansion Joints for FGD Service Hot Topics April 19.htm
 

Ron Maxwell - Senior Flexonics

The company furnishes metal as well as fabric expansion joints. Fluoroelastoplastics combine the corrosion resistance of a fluoroplastic with the flexibility of a fluoroelastomer through the addition of FKM to the PTFE compound.