A Multitude of Hot Gas Filter Decisions Needed Due To Regulatory and Technology Developments

Operators of power plants, industrial boilers, cement kilns and waste incinerators have been challenged by both regulatory and technology developments which increase the number of decisions which have to be made regarding hot gas filtration.

New regulations applying to combustion sources in the U.S., China and other countries require removal of particles to levels 90 percent lower than required a decade ago. Older precipitators are not capable of compliance with the new standards. New alternative technologies may create water and solid waste problems. In fact, a number of different decision trees have to be viewed in order to make the best decisions.

Many older plants are candidates for retirement or fuel switching. The costs of this approach have to be compared to the cost of upgrades to meet the new rules.  This is not a sequential process. Discoveries in one decision tree lead the analyst back to the previous tree.  A new direct sorbent injection approach will greatly lessen the capital cost but will make flyash unsalable.  If this ash has to be sent to a hazardous waste landfill, the costs would be enormous.  However, some technology upgrades could provide a salable mix of reaction products and ash.

New filter media allows consideration of replacing just precipitator internals.  But, if the required pressure increase is more than the existing fan can handle, then the analyst needs to look carefully at the whole process decision tree.  A new catalytic filter with direct sorbent injection offers the potential to remove three pollutants in one device. The biggest advantage may be the creation of clean gas at 850^oF. This provides some very important energy recovery alternatives but requires retracing the analysis of the water and solid waste, process and technology decision trees.

McIlvaine offers services for both the combustion plant operator and the supplier.

The Hot Gas Filtration Global Decisions Positioning System™ (GdPS) provides a road map for all the participants.

Power Plant Systems and Components  provides a free decision system for operators.

44I Power Plant Air Quality Decisions  provides the decision system for suppliers.

Gas Turbine Inlet Filter Decisions Are Critical and Complex

Gas turbine technology is steadily advancing.  Higher speed rotating parts are increasing efficiency.  However, the more advanced the machine the more vulnerable it is to deposition of very small particles.  The use of turbines has expanded to arctic, desert and marine environments.  Each presents special challenges.

Inlet air filters are the critical component in deposition prevention.  Air filter designers have made a number of improvements in fiber, media and filter shape to improve the efficiency to energy consumption ratio while maintaining integrity.

These filter options combined with a variety of other processes and operating parameters make the filter decisions complex. The selection is best made by traveling back and forth among a number of decision trees.

In California and certain other areas the air emission limits are lower than the particulate loading in the ambient air.  In these locales the air inlet filter must function as an air pollution control device. Sticky fine salt particles are encountered in marine locations. High dust loads are found in deserts. There is a wide variety of conditions found in industrial locations.

Because of the use of gas turbines to provide power when the renewable sources are not producing (solar and wind), many turbines are subject to constant cycling. The result is varying inlet filter conditions.

Recent studies show that more efficient inlet filters even at a large price premium are justified based on reduced turbine erosion and maintenance.  The latest filter advances provide high efficiency at modest pressure increase. Various designs are proving to be reliable and capable of long life. 

The variety of conditions and many filter options make selection complex.   The McIlvaine Company provides Global Decisions Positioning Systems (GdPS) to assist specifers in these complex choices.

There are services for both the gas turbine plant operator and the supplier.

The Gas Turbine Air Treatment Global Decisions Positioning System™ (GdPS) provides a road map for all the participants.

Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions provides a free decision system for the operator.

59EI Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Supplier Program provides the decision system for suppliers.

Six Percent Expansion of the Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Market This Year

There is a switch from coal-fired generation to gas turbine generators underway in many countries of the world. In addition, a number of gas-turbine peaking plants are being retrofitted with combined cycle systems.  In major areas of the world more than 30 percent of turbine capacity is open (single cycle), which offers substantial opportunities for combined cycle upgrades.

The capacity additions in 2015 will be equal to 4.3 percent of the installed base.  However, the addition of steam generators along with investment to switch from infrequent to frequent use will raise total investment by 6 percent.  Asia will be the leading region with a 7 percent increase.

Gas Turbine Open Cycle Systems by Region

Installed base of gas turbine generation at the end of 2015 will be nearly 1.4 million MW, which includes 60,000 MW of new additions that will be added throughout the year. Most of the additions will include the steam turbine and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), reflecting the economic and environmental advantages for combined cycle power plants.

Significant opportunities for combined cycle conversions exist in North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East.  Europe and the CIS have traditionally invested primarily in combined cycle from the start rather than open cycle, so there are lesser opportunities there for upgrades to combined cycle systems.

Wet cooling will also be incorporated in the majority of these combined cycle installations.  However, dry cooling is being utilized in some arid areas of the world.  It is also the choice for some developers who want to avoid delays with water permits.

Many plants are switching from peaking to base-load operation. This generates the need for better boiler feedwater treatment systems. Other capital investments are warranted to reduce chemical and other operating costs.

More information on the market is found at:  N043 Fossil and Nuclear Power Generation: World Analysis and Forecast.

Details on all the projects and technology is found at:  59EI Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Supplier Program.

Renewable Energy Briefs

Pattern Development Secures Power Purchase Agreement for 147 MW Wind Project in Quebec

Pattern Energy Group LP announced that its Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind project has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hydro-Québec. The 147 megawatt (MW) project is located approximately 50 kilometers south of Québec City, in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Pattern Development has partnered with Renewable Energy Systems Canada Inc. (RES Canada) on development of the project.

The Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind project will utilize 46 Siemens innovative 3.2 MW direct drive wind turbines. Components for the turbines will be sourced from Québec and leverage the highly-skilled labor force and manufacturing facilities in the province.

The project will employ approximately 200 skilled workers on site at the peak of construction activity and create 10-12 permanent jobs once operational. Upon completion, the Mont Sainte-Marguerite Wind project is expected to generate enough power for approximately 27,000 Québec homes annually. The project site, which is located on one of the higher elevations in Southern Québec, has one of the strongest wind resources in the entire region.

Greenskies, Target Corp. Sign 180 Store Power Purchase Agreement

Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, a Middletown-based solar energy company, said recently it has signed an agreement with Target Corp. to install solar arrays on the roofs of 180 Target stores and distribution centers that stretch across the United States from Augusta, Maine, to San Diego, California.

When completed, the 180 solar installations will produce an aggregate total of approximately 100 megawatts of electric energy. Though the size of the solar array will vary at each of the retail locations, the average system will consist of 1,700 solar panels.

The Target retail outlets included in the agreement are located in 12 states; Arizona, California, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin, said Andrew Chester, Greenskies' executive vice-president. The agreement, which was signed in mid-February, also includes two Target distribution centers in Wilton and Amsterdam, N.Y.

U.S. EPA Recognizes Sand Valley Landfill Renewable Energy Program as Electricity Project of the Year

Republic Services, Inc. announced that its Sand Valley Landfill Gas-to-Energy (LFGTE) project in Collinsville, AL has been named Electricity Project of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.) The EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program recognized the Sand Valley renewable energy project with the award at a workshop in conjunction with the Solid Waste Association of North America's 38th Annual Landfill Gas & Biogas Symposium.

The Sand Valley LFGTE project has a generating capacity of 4.8 megawatts and supplies power to approximately 4,000 homes in the area. Renewable power generated at the site is sold to the Tennessee Valley Authority, and exported through an interconnection with Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative. The project was announced in April 2014, and is believed to be the largest LFGTE project in Alabama.

Republic Services' Sand Valley Landfill comprises 233 acres and accepts approximately 1,600 tons of waste per day.

Egyptian Government and Sky Power IGD Sign Historic Solar Power Agreement

SkyPower Global and International Gulf Development (IGD) have signed a historic agreement with the Government of Egypt for the development of 3,000 megawatts (MW) of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects to be built over the next four years.

The agreement represents an unprecedented milestone in Egypt's strategic plan to develop a sustainable renewable energy industry, creating thousands of new green energy jobs and attracting billions in capital investment.

Yingli Green Energy Begins Construction of a 50 MW Solar Power Plant in China’s Hubei Province

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited a leading solar panel manufacturer, known as "Yingli Solar," announced that it has begun construction of a 50 megawatt (MW) solar power plant on former mining lands in in Huangshi City, Hubei Province, China. It is the first project developed by Yingli on land that has been degraded by mining activities.

The 50 MW power plant occupies over 100 hectares of land in western Huangshi City, a region known for its rich mineral resources and extensive mining operations. The project will contain about 170,000 YGE 72 Cell Series multicrystalline solar panels that are expected to generate approximately 55,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of clean electricity annually, which will offset the consumption of nearly 22,000 tons of coal and the emission of over 50,000 tons of carbon into the atmosphere. The system is scheduled to interconnect with the local utility grid and begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2015.

For more information on Renewable Energy Projects and Update please visit http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Renewable_Energy_Projects_Brochure/renewable_energy_projects_brochure.htm

Headlines for Utility E-Alert – March 20, 2015

UTILITY E-ALERT

#1215– March 20, 2015

Table of Contents

COAL – US

·       We Energies will hold on to Upper Peninsula Coal-fired Power Plant

·       Martin Drake Coal-fired Power Plant resumes Operations after Fire last Year

·       Rockport, Indiana Coal Gasification Project Canceled

·       Medical Center may convert Power Plant to Natural Gas

COAL – WORLD

·       Orascom, IPIC to build 3,000 MW Coal-fired Power Plant in Egypt

·       Japan to develop Coal-fired Power Plant in Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia

·       Beijing shuts down Major Coal-fired Power Plant to Cut Pollution

GAS/OIL – US

·       Maryland PSC to take longer with review of revamped Mattawoman Gas-fired Power Project

GAS/OIL – WORLD

·       Siemens to build 4.4 GW Beni Suef Power Plant in Egypt

·       Gas-fired Power Plant for Walvis Bay, Nambia

·       E.ON withdraws Killingholme CCGT Power Plant from Grid

BIOMASS

·       $90 Million Kauai Energy Plant to begin selling Power to Utility in May

NUCLEAR

·       Diablo Nuclear Power Plant Safe from Extreme Natural Events

BUSINESS

·       Air Pollution Markets shifting toward Asia

·       Lawsuit could impact R.E. Ginna, Cayuga Power Plants

HOT TOPIC HOUR

·       Hot Topic Hour Yesterday (March 19) offers Perspective on the Ground Limestone, Catalytic Filter, and also a Hybrid SDA

·       “NOx Control Options” analyzed in March 26, 2015 Hot Topic Hour

·       Upcoming Hot Topic Hours

For more information on the Utility Tracking System, click on:  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/databases/2-uncategorised/89-42ei

McIlvaine Hot Topic Hour Registration

On Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting on important energy and pollution control subjects.  These Webinars are free of charge to owner/operators of the plants. They are also free to McIlvaine Subscribers of Power Plant Air Quality Decisions and Utility Tracking System.  The cost for others is $300.00 per webinar.

See below for information on upcoming Hot Topic Hours.  We welcome your input relative to suggested additions

Click here for the Subscriber and Power Plant or Cement Plant Owner/Operator Registration Form

Click here for the Non-Subscribers Registration Form

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You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at: http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php?option=com_rsform&formId=5

Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvainecompany.com