"FGD Scrubber Components" was the Hot Topic on November 8, 2012
Although this Hot Topic Hour was originally intended to focus on components for the typical FGDs being constructed today, we broadened the subject matter to include two new technologies that we felt would be of considerable interest to our audience: A proven method for removing aerosols and particles down to 0.1 microns that can be installed after an FGD and a new proven technology that could replace conventional scrubbers.
The first speaker, Doug Reinke, Vice-president of Sales & Marketing at Augusta Fiberglass, did focus on FRP fiberglass components for FGDs, ducts and stack liners. He presented an overview of Augusta’s innovative technology and impressive capabilities to fabricate very large FRP components, either in the field or in their shop. In the last eight years, they have made 53 stack liners in the field with individual sections up to 52 feet in diameter and 42 feet tall that are then assembled (stacked up) to the desired height. They have also produced over 11 miles of FRP ducts. Tanks up to 45 feet in diameter can be fabricated at their plant and transported over the road. Doug pointed out the advantages of FRP and how on-site manufacture and assembly can be very cost effective.
Following Doug’s presentation was Chris Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of Kimre, Inc. He described Kimre’s patented technology that utilizes an interlaced mesh of small diameter thermoplastic fibers for process fluid separation and particulate removal. The thermoplastic fibers eliminate problems associated with corrosion, contamination, and erosion. The lightweight material is flexible, offers exact fit and is easy to install, remove, and maintain. Chris showed examples of the filters being easily cleaned with a high-pressure water jet and even being crushed by car tires to remove dried plaster in them. After this rough cleaning treatment the filters resume their original shape and performance. The media will continue to perform as originally designed for up to 25 years even after many cleaning operations.
Kimre offers the AEROSEP® Multi-Stage Aerosol Separation System to collect submicron particulates which are hygroscopic using the principles of condensation scrubbing. Aerosols as small as 0.2 microns in diameter pass through gas conditioning stages and particle growth stage within the AEROSEP® system before being collected by a final entrainment separator stage.
Chris cited many examples dating back to 1988 where this technology has been applied in very difficult environments for aerosol and sub-micron particulate removal. Kimre has until now been focused on industrial chemical applications including aerosol and particulate scrubbers at phosphoric acid, urea and fluorine plants, tail gas scrubbers at sulfuric acid plants and scrubbers at waste incinerators. Chris would now like to promote their SFX™ and AEROSEP® technologies for sub-micron aerosol and particulate removal to coal-fired power plants and is looking for a partner for this industry.
The final speaker was Rob Fredell Vice-president for Business Development at Neumann Systems Group, Inc. He described their wet flue gas desulfurization technology called NeuStream® SO2 capture and processing system. The system uses an advanced flat-jet liquid gas contactor and a proven dual-alkali capture system -- sodium-based absorbent fluid and a low-cost calcium reagent for precipitation (lime, limestone). The technology has been in use since 1980. Up to 97 percent SOx removal, up 98 percent HCl and 90 percent Hg2+ can be achieved for plants burning either low or high sulfur coal. The technology has been validated by EPRI at a 20 MW coal-fired power plant and EPRI concluded that it can be easily scaled up for larger plants.
Rob described the many advantages that this technology has over any other FGD system or technology except perhaps DSI. DSI is more cost-effective for plants expected to operate for only five years or less. The NeuStream® is about a tenth the size of other scrubbers and modular so it can be quickly and easily assembled on-site. But more importantly it uses considerably less water, has zero water discharge and has significantly less parasitic power loss than other FGDs. Rob presented charts that showed that the capital cost for the NeuStream® was about 50 percent less than for other conventional scrubber systems and the operating cost was about 60 percent that of conventional scrubbers.
Bios, Abstracts and Photos can be seen at BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS - NOVEMBER 8, 2012.htm
The individual presentations are as follows: