DSI activity is High according to Hot Topic Hour Speakers on June 7, 2012

There is a great deal of activity in evaluation of dry sorbent injection to meet the new MATS and CSAPR.

Chetan Chothani, CEO Breen Energy Solutions, summarized the challenges facing small-to- medium size coal-fired power plants without SCRs and scrubbers in meeting MATS and CSAPR regulations. However a significant development is that natural gas prices are hovering at record lows. A unique combination of technologies provides these plants with an alternative to stay economically viable while meeting regulations, and it makes DSI relevant as part of a combined technology solution. Gas co-firing provides fuel flexibility, FLGR (Fuel Lean Gas Reburn) provides NO_x reduction and DSI provides SO₂ and SO₃ mitigation while keeping overall dust loading constant on the ESP. In the discussions, Chetan confirmed that shale gas could be directly used without treatment. Gasified sewage sludge or municipal waste would also be appropriate.

David Escott, Power Market Manager at FLSmidth, Inc, pointed out that the experience with SO₃ mitigation was the foundation for DSI injection for SO₂ and HCl. FLS has modularized injection systems and can provide accurate injection at very low flows (50-500 lbs/h). The APC device has a great influence on the system design and there is a large emphasis on fabric filters to achieve PM targets. A filter can serve to improve sorbent efficiency through enhanced capture in filter cakes, and in fact, fabric filters can be designed to improve the development of the filter cake. Reduced sorbent consumption minimizes the cost difference among sorbents, and stand alone “polishing” filters allow scalped ash to be kept separate from scrubber/injection byproducts.

Blaz Jurko, GEBR. PFEIFFER, Inc, discussed technology for dry sorbent material preparation/grinding including

• Limestone grinding such as regional dry grinding
• Lime hydration
• Gypsum grinding/calcining
• Dry sorbent product fineness
• Precise material separation/classification

Marcus (Marc) Sylvester, Vice President of Sales for Midwest Energy Emissions Corporation (ME2C), provided efficiency comparisons for the patented “Sorbent Enhancement Additives” technology for mercury control compared to brominated activated carbon. Commercial performance at several large power plants was analyzed. The conclusion he reached was that ME2C’s mercury reduction program achieves greater than 90 percent capture at less than one-half the cost of brominated activated carbon.

Lew Benson, SO₂ Group Leader at Nalco/Mobotec, endorsed modeling of dry sorbent injection including not just CFD but also chemical reaction modeling. With all the variables in fuels and plant operations full scale trials are recommended. DSI can impact mercury removal due to the capture of the chlorine.

The Bios, Abstracts and Photos information is linked below.

BIOS, ABSTRACTS, PHOTOS - June 7, 2012.doc