HOT TOPIC HOUR

“Gas Turbine Regulatory Drivers” Hot Topic Hour on February 5 addressed Permitting and Compliance Issues for Gas Turbine Operators

 

Bob McIlvaine started the discussion with an analysis of the relationship of regulations and decisions about retirement of coal-fired power plants, partial replacement or complete replacement with gas turbine systems.

 

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), emission standards for greenhouse gases and corresponding State permitting hurdles present many challenges for power plant operators. A discussion of these issues and ways to address them were discussed by other speakers.

Regulatory Agenda by Bob McIlvaine, McIlvaine Company - Hot Topic Hour February 5, 2015.

Bob started the discussion with an analysis of the relationship or regulations and decisions from retirement of coal-fired power plants, partial replacement or complete replacement with gas turbine systems.

Revision Date:  2/5/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, McIlvaine, Regulation, Greenhouse Gas

Debbie Fox, McIlvaine Company, provided an overview of regulatory programs that are forcing changes in how power is generated in the U.S.  For example, many coal-fired power plants will choose to shut down rather than comply with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). CO2 emission standards for new power plants will effectively prohibit the construction of any new coal-fired power plants. Accordingly, EIA projects that 73 percent of new capacity in 2013-2040 will be gas-fired (see below). The CO2 standards are also expected to dramatically shift power dispatching priorities from coal to natural gas, raising the nationwide utilization rate for natural gas combined cycle units from the current 46% to 70% or more. 

 

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/images/fig_mt-31.png

 

 

Bob Hall and Jeff Connors of AECOM addressed “Recent Air Permitting Issues for New Combined Cycle Power Plants.”  Bob Hall discussed Best Available Control Technology (BACT) options for greenhouse gases, which typically include heat rate limits and emission limits.  He noted that permit applicants have not generally been able to reject carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) based solely on technical infeasibility but are expected to demonstrate that the option is not cost effective.  He also noted that condensable particulates must now be included in PSD applicability determinations and in establishing emission limits for PSD permits.

 

Jeff Connors discussed air dispersion modeling. The location of a proposed power plant can dictate the level of analysis. For example, additional modeling may be required for a site located within 300 km of a national park or other Class I area. The NAAQS for NO2 has been ratcheted down such that multisource modeling is almost always necessary.  He also said that typical problems are associated with low-level combustion units such as fuel gas heaters and fire water pumps, rather than gas turbine units.

Recent Air Permitting Issues for Natural Gas Combined Cycle Power Plants by Bob Hall and Jeff Connors, AECOM - Hot Topic Hour February 5, 2015

Bob Hall discussed Best Available Control Technology (BACT) options for greenhouse gases. Jeff Connors discussed air dispersion modeling.

Revision Date:  2/5/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, AECOM, Regulation, Greenhouse Gas, Air


 

Bruce Rising, Strategic Business Management Siemens Power Systems Sales, addressed two key issues:  proposed revisions to the NAAQS for ozone and CO2 limits for new power plants. He noted that ambient ozone levels have steadily declined over the last 30 years due to NOx limits on motor vehicles and stationary sources. Lowering the NAAQS for ozone would, ironically, increase the number of nonattainment areas. With respect to the proposed emission standard of 1000 lb CO2/MWh for gas-fired power plants, he said that it effectively requires a minimum cycle efficiency of 41% LHV and encourages plants to operate at maximum output – in contrast to other environmental regulations.  

 

Building New Power Industry - Challenges and Opportunities by Bruce Rising, Siemens - Hot Topic Hour February 5, 2015

Bruce addressed two key issues: proposed revisions to the NAAQS for ozone and CO2 limits for new plants

Revision Date:  2/5/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, Siemens, Ozone, Greenhouse Gas, Regulation


Joshua Gillespie, Sales and Proposals Manager EmeraChem, reviewed the factors to consider in designing a catalyst and calculating the volume to control CO, VOCs, SO2 and NOx.  He noted, for example, that platinum metal coatings oxidize CO more quickly and perform better on startup than palladium coatings. He also reviewed the impact that HRSG temperature has on catalyst design and volume, with the “sweet spot” or most cost effective operating temperature being around 750°F.

 


Designing CO Oxidation Catalyst for Your Permit Requirement by Joshua Gillespie, EmeraChem - Hot Topic Hour February 5, 2015

Joshua reviewed the factors to consider in designing a catalyst and calculating the volume to control CO, VOCs, SO2 and NOx

Revision Date:  2/5/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, EmeraChem, Catalyst, Regulation, CO, VOC, Greenhouse Gas


 

Gas Turbine Regulatory Drivers Webinar - Hot Topic Hour February 5, 2015

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), emission standards for greenhouse gases and corresponding State permitting hurdles present many challenges for power plant operators. A discussion of these issues and ways to address them were discussed by today’s speakers.

Revision Date:  2/5/2015

Tags:  221112 - Fossil Fuel 化石燃料, EneraChem, Siemens, AECOM, McIlvaine, Catalyst, Regulation, Greenhouse Gas, Ozone, VOC, CO