Power Air Quality Insights No

Operators of gas turbines can now subscribe free of charge to a comprehensive intelligence system to help them select and maintain the air treatment systems utilized in gas turbine power generation. Gas Turbine Air Treatment GDPS is published and maintained by the McIlvaine Company. (www.mcilvainecompany.com) The GDPS is likened to the automobile GPS in that route maps navigating all the decision trees in proper sequence are provided. The following decision trees are included:

Gas Turbine Air Treatment Decision Trees
Capital	Operating and Maintenance
Intake Housing
Weather Protection
Conditioning	Nozzles
Pre-Filtration	Filters
Coalescers	Coalescers
Final Filtration	Filters
Tempering Air System (Single Cycle)	Dampers, Drives, Fan Parts, Seals
Duct Burner (Combined Cycle)	Burner Parts
Ammonia Injection Grid	Nozzles, Ammonia
CO-Reactor	Catalyst
SCR	Catalyst
Process Controls	Sensors, Valves, Seals, Gaskets
CEM	Rata Testing, Protocol Gases, Instruments
Silencer	Silencer Parts
Stack

Two recent developments in gas turbine air treatment are the expanded use of HEPA filters for gas turbine intake air and SCR with both CO and NO_x catalyst for the tail-end gas. Some dust that the inlet filter does not remove is going to deposit on the catalyst. A facility can use a very small catalyst pitch and save lots of money, but the increase in pressure loss along with deposition will increase operating cost and decrease electricity output. Therefore, the choice of inlet filter needs to be viewed initially in terms of catalyst pitch selection and then in terms of catalyst life.

First in California and now in other places, the stack gas emission limits are lower than the ambient air particulate matter concentration. In these cases, the inlet air filter becomes a key element in stack gas compliance. Gas turbine inlet ambient air undergoes a series of treatments. The initial treatment is to remove large weather-related contaminants e.g., snow, rain, etc. The humidity and temperature of the ambient air are also adjusted to increase the weight and, therefore, electrical output. This treatment can range from fogging nozzles to a full air conditioning system. Droplets are formed, coalesced and removed. Particulate filtration can be with a series of filters ranging from coarse to HEPA or it can take place with self-cleaning cartridges.

One alternative for NO_xcontrol during combustion is the low NO_x burner. Another alternate is water injection. Once the air has been mixed with the gas and combusted it passes through other systems in the gas path. In a combined cycle process, there is likely to be a duct burner to adjust HRSG steam temperature. This can add to the pollutants. CO and NO_x catalysts are also utilized. However the accompanying ammonia injection can create ammonia slip which is regulated and also tends to foul the catalyst.

With single cycle systems many of the air treatment challenges are more complex. If a low temperature catalyst is used, tempering air is needed. This creates a challenge in providing laminar flow to the catalyst. If high temperature catalyst is used, higher catalyst costs are encountered and higher maintenance is possible.

The air treatment needs are not static. The higher performance turbines are more likely to be compromised by small particles. The use of gas turbines and certainly the use of SCR are expanding to applications that are more challenging. The seawater and salts found in marine applications including floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) units are examples.

Application in refineries in South America where inlet air quality may be low and fuel includes less than pristine liquids is another example. The rapid cycling of turbines complementing wind and solar is another newer challenge.

For more information and to register for the Gas Turbine Air Treatment GDPS: click on:

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China is planning investments and adjusting regulations which will result in very large opportunities for suppliers of flow control and treatment equipment. These opportunities are analyzed in Air/Gas/Water/Fluid Treatment and Control: World Markets published by the McIlvaine Company. (www.mcilvainecompany.com) There are four opportunities which stand out because of their size and the opportunity for innovative technologies.

1 Retrofit of Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to existing coal-fired power plants

Two of the opportunities are related to the decision to rely on coal for future energy needs. This decision is coupled with a commitment to reduce emissions from coal-fired generators. China has already retrofitted systems to remove SO₂ from existing power plants. It is now making a 40 billion dollar commitment to provide 90 percent NO_x reduction from these same power plants. China will be operating more than 50 percent of the world’s coal-fired SCR systems by 2020.

China can be likened to Los Angeles in terms of the challenges it faces relative to ambient particulate. Topography magnifies the impact of fine particulate emissions for critical areas such as Beijing and many major cities. The new limits on particulate emissions from coal-fired power plants and other sources will create new markets for fabric filters and other innovative technology to compete with the standard electrostatic precipitators.

China has been far behind the rest of the world in terms of sophisticated pharmaceuticals production. Plants producing branded pharmaceuticals use water of extreme purity. This in turn requires special pumps, valves and treatment equipment. Air circulating in production areas has to be fifty times cleaner than ambient air.

The world’s largest pharmaceutical companies have decided to enter the generic market by building large facilities in Asia. Many of the new facilities are being constructed in China. They include research as well as production facilities. As a result, China will be both a large market and one receptive to innovations for suppliers of flow control and treatment products.

Rainfall per capita in China is only 25 percent as high as the world average. Furthermore, the distribution is uneven. There are many arid areas. A new trend is for construction of industrial facilities in areas where transcontinental rail shipping is convenient as opposed to ocean transport. This combination of factors will be putting great stress on water resources.

Treated municipal wastewater will increasingly be used for industrial, commercial and no potable residential purposes. Industrial plants will reuse rather than discharge wastewater. This trend will also generate billions of dollars in annual revenue for flow control and treatment companies.

Siemens Partners with Bechtel and AECOM to Win Four Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity Contracts for U.S. Army’s $7 Billion Renewable and Alternative Energy Power Production Program

Siemens Government Technologies, Inc. announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, working with the Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) has completed the initial awards under all four Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Multiple Award Task Order Contracts (MATOC) for geothermal, solar, wind and biomass technologies to support renewable energy on Defense Department installations. The four MATOCs have multiple awardees but the Siemens team was the only one that was selected for all of them.

This MATOC will be used to procure reliable, locally generated, renewable and alternative energy for DoD installations through power purchase agreements (PPA). The contracts provide a three-year base with seven one-year options, for a total ordering period of 10 years. The $7 billion contract capacity will be expended for PPAs to procure energy during a period of up to 30 years from renewable energy generation systems that are designed, financed, constructed, operated and maintained by contractors using private sector financing.

In April 2012, the White House announced the Defense Department was making one of the largest commitments to clean energy in history, by setting a goal to deploy 3 gigawatts of renewable energy —including solar, wind, biomass or geothermal — on Army, Navy and Air Force installations by 2025. That is enough energy to power 750,000 homes. The Army's goal is one gigawatt of that total.

Metso will supply Oskarshamn Energi with a complete biomass-fired power plant for combined heat and power production in Oskarshamn in Sweden. The start-up of the plant is scheduled for winter 2015.

Metso’s delivery will include a complete power plant, including patented BioGrate combustion technology, installation, training and commissioning. The plant will have a thermal output of 17.2 MWth for district heating to the municipality of Oskarshamn, a process steam output of 4 MWth to local industry and an electrical output of 3.8 MWe. The plant automation will be based on Metso DNA technology and Metso will also supply a flue gas condenser and a ventilation system.

OneRoof Energy announced two new solar financing offerings to significantly expand its product suite and options for customers. In addition to the company’s flagship SolarSelect® lease, OneRoof Energy will offer both secured and unsecured loans for solar systems, delivering a breadth of options that allow homeowners to select the right type of financing for their individual needs.

In 2012, more than 82,000 homeowners embraced solar energy as a viable alternative to rising electricity bills, but faced an often complex and daunting process of choosing the optimal way to “go solar.” OneRoof Energy is committed to making the process simpler and more accessible as demonstrated by its new loan financing options. In addition to leasing solar, the company’s new offerings include several secured loans up to 20 years and unsecured loans with terms up to 12 years. The new flexible loans set a path to ownership and provide opportunities to receive applicable federal and state tax credits and benefits, which can significantly reduce the cost of the system to qualifying homeowners.

Nokero International, Ltd. announced the release of one of the most technologically advanced solar light, phone charger combinations on the market.

The Nokero N222 is a leap forward in design and function for the company, which has been at the forefront of small-scale solar products since releasing the world’s first Solar Light Bulb in 2010.

“This product has been on the drawing board since I first dreamed up the solar light bulb concept a few years ago,” founder and CEO Steve Katsaros said. “But it took a while for technology to catch up to where we could offer this much light, and this much cell-phone charging power, all in one package, for such a competitive price.”

The N222 provides about six hours of bright light (50 lumens) per day and can charge most cell phones or battery-powered devices via its USB charging port. It also incorporates a variety of features, including varying light intensity, interchangeable color lenses, grid-charging and modular base stand.

“Nokero built its reputation on durability, which is of utmost importance for a product that must undergo the rigors of outdoor charging. The Nokero N222 combined this durability with highly efficient solar panels, neatly tucked inside its patented and familiar light-bulb shape.

Small scale solar has made a tremendous impact in the developing world, where about a quarter of the world’s population lives without electricity.

Boeing, South African Airways Launch Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Effort in Southern Africa

Boeing and South African Airways (SAA) announced that they will work together to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, a first for the continent.

The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding for sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain development.

Boeing has collaborated extensively with airlines, research institutions, governments and other stakeholders to develop road maps for biofuel supply chains in several countries and regions, including the United States, China, Australia and Brazil. The aerospace company's plan to work with SAA is the first such project in Africa.

Flight tests show that biofuel, which is derived from organic sources such as plants or algae, performs as well as or better than petroleum-based jet fuel. When produced in sustainable ways, biofuel contributes far less to global climate change than traditional fuels because carbon dioxide (CO₂) is pulled out of the atmosphere by a growing plant-based feedstock.

Boeing and SAA believe that new developments in technology will enable the conversion of biomass into jet fuel in a more sustainable manner without competing with other sectors for food and water resources. The World Wildlife Fund-South Africa will monitor and ensure compliance to sustainability principles that would ensure that fuel is sustainable and would lead to genuine carbon reductions.

Aviation biofuel refined to required standards has been approved for a blend of up to 50 percent with traditional jet fuel. Globally, more than 1,500 passenger flights using biofuel have been flown since the fuel was approved.

§ Edison and Marubeni still in the running to build Plomin C Power Plant in Croatia

§ Multi-national Companies to build 500 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Myanmar

§ Black & Veatch supports 600 MW Ugljevik 3 Power Project in Republic of Srpska

§ JSPL in talks to buy 1,320 MW Power Project in Andhra Pradesh, India from Kineta Power

§ Adaro, J-Power and Itochu postpone construction of 2,000 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Indonesia

On Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting on important energy and pollution control subjects. Power webinars are free for subscribers to either Power Plant Air Quality Decisions or Utility Tracking System. The cost is $125.00 for non-subscribers. Market Intelligence webinars are free to McIlvaine market report subscribers and are $400.00 for non-subscribers.

DATE	Non-Subscribers Cost	SUBJECT	Webinar Type
October 31, 2013	$125.00	Chinese FGD/SCR Program and Impact on the World	Power
November 21, 2013	$125.00	Wet vs Dry ESP	Power
December 5, 2013	$125.00	Update on Gasification Projects and Technology	Power
December 12, 2013	$125.00	Selecting FGD Scrubber Components	Power
December 19, 2013	$125.00	Application of U.S. Mercury Control Technology in Other Countries	Power
January 9, 2014	$125.00	Improving ESP Performance	Power
January 16, 2014	$125.00	Corrosion Issues and Materials for APC Systems	Power
January 23, 2014	$125.00	Co-Firing Sewage Sludge, Biomass and Municipal Waste	Power
January 30, 2014	$125.00	Impact of Ambient Air Quality Rules on Fossil Fueled Boilers and Gas Turbines	Power
February 6, 2014	$125.00	Review of EUEC	Power
February 13, 2014	$125.00	NOx Catalyst Performance on Mercury and SO3	Power
February 20, 2014	$125.00	CFB Technology and Clean Coal (Update on CFB Reactor Technology)	Power
February 27, 2014	$125.00	Dry FGD: Spray Dry vs. CFB vs. DSI	Power
March 6, 2014	$125.00	Update on IGCC (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle)	Power
March 13, 2014	$125.00	Update on Oxy-Fuel Combustion	Power
March 20, 2014	$125.00	Air Preheaters & Heat Exchangers	Power
March 27, 2014	$125.00	Mercury Control and Removal	Power
April 3, 2014	$125.00	HRSG Design, Operation and Maintenance Considerations	Power
April 10, 2014	$125.00	Measurement and Control Instrumentation for Power Plants	Power
April 17, 2014	$125.00	Measurement and Control of PM2.5	Power
April 24, 2014	$125.00	Status of Carbon-to-Liquid Projects and Technology	Power
May 1, 2014	$125.00	Renewable Energy, Status, Options, Technology Update	Power
May 8, 2014	$125.00	Valves for Power Plant Steam and Cooling Water	Power
May 15, 2014	$125.00	Water Treatment During Gas and Oil Production	Power
May 22, 2014	$125.00	Advances in Coal Blending	Power
May 29, 2014	$125.00	Clean Coal Technologies	Power
June 5, 2014	$125.00	Material Handling in Fossil Fueled Power Plants	Power
June 12, 2014	$125.00	Industrial Boiler MACT - Impact and Control Options	Power
June 19, 2014	$125.00	Multi-emissions Control Technologies	Power
June 26, 2014	$125.00	Next Generation of Coal Combustion Technologies	Power
July 10, 2014	$125.00	Compliance Strategies for PM2.5