March 20, 2008

Particulate Control needs for Low Sulfur Coal are Changing - Hot Topic Yesterday

A good mix of utilities, consultants OEMS, bag, fiber, and resin people discussed the future demands and current experience on particulate control for low sulfur coal applications.

Joe Schwartz of McIlvaine Company presented initial results of a plant-by-plant survey of bag experience. Thirteen plants were surveyed. One was operating a pulse jet baghouse with 22-oz fiberglass bags and a ptfe membrane coating. Bag life is unknown. The other 12 units are reverse air collectors using glass bags with Teflon coating or membranes. Weight ranges from 10-13-oz.

There is a big difference in life expectancy as follows.

The requirements for these units is going to change and along with it bag life and other aspects. The vacature of the mercury rule will likely result in each plant installing 90 percent efficient mercury control systems. The added load of carbon will be a challenge for these systems.

There is also the near certainty of controlling toxic metals. The reverse air baghouses are probably doing a good job of capturing these metals. But performance will have to be ascertained.

John Fieber of Kuttner provided interesting experience on mercury and toxic metal capture using the horizontal bag Luhr filter. A conditioning rotor is utilized to allow recycling of the sorbent and flyash. Carbon recycle rates up to 10 have been achieved. This greatly reduces the activated carbon consumption. Open hearth furnace coke is also used. One unit is installed on a coal-fired boiler in Europe. Sewage sludge is co-fired. Mercury removal exceeds 90 percent.

John Fieber’s power point presentation is in the Particulate Decision Tree and can be viewed at

John Fieber - Kuttner

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Particulate Control Choices for Low Sulfur Coal Lühr Filter Applications on Heavy Metals, Including Mercury. Presented by John Fieber, Kuttner North America. Hot Topic Hour March 20, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/Particulate_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Kuttner North America, John Fieber - Hot Topic March 20, 2008.pdf
 

Bob Crynak of Indigo Agglomerator updated us on developments with the agglomerator.  The device has enhanced mercury removal when carbon levels are low. This unit will improve the capture of toxic metals. Since BACT for each plant will be required for toxics, this offers one option for achieving it.