Optimization of Air Pollution Control Systems is the Hot Topic Hour on Nov. 10,
2011
Optimizing the operation of energy producing assets to minimize cost and
increase profits (or reduce rates for non-profit utilities) has certainly been a
goal of utility management for some time. Now however, with the Utility MACT
and the Cross State Air Pollution (Transport) Rule (CSAPR) acting to reduce the
limits for all regulated pollutants to barely measureable levels, optimization
of Air Pollution Control (APC) systems to achieve
these limits economically and with minimum capital investment will become a
strategy of choice.
Optimization of the complete train of equipment is not easily achieved. There
are many conflicting goals and constraints such as contracts for power delivery,
management of demand, integration of renewable resources such as wind and solar
plants and distributed generation, rapidly changing fuel costs, fuel delivery
contracts, the design, age and maintenance requirements of producing assets as
well as the emission limits and GHG considerations. Fortunately, the suppliers
to the industry have developed a wide range of equipment, technologies, software
and systems that individually or in combination will help optimize power
production and APC systems. In previous Hot Topic Hours we have discussed
methods for improving the efficiency of the various equipment used for APC such
as SCRs, ESPs and Baghouses. This Hot Topic Hour will focus on monitoring and
control software.
Strictly speaking, the combustion process is not considered part of the APC
system but optimizing the combustion process including the fuel preparation and
flow, burner combustion, air heaters and other components of the steam
generation process can have a significant effect on the overall APC system. By
reducing the fuel and air required to generate a specific amount of electricity
and reducing the pollutants generated, the load on the APC equipment is reduced
allowing this equipment to operate more efficiently and with less chemical
additions.
Software and control systems are available to optimize the combustion process as
well as individual APC equipment and the overall plant operation. Software is
also available to help optimize demand/load management both for an individual
facility or enterprise-wide including all producing assets as well as power
purchase contracts. Some of this software will also include other variables such
as fuel costs, plant operating efficiencies and emission requirements in the
optimization scheme.
The following speakers will describe the available software and control systems,
technologies and methods for optimizing APC systems to meet today’s challenges
for emission limits, GHG reductions and profitability. They will also describe
real world experience with improving the operating efficiency of fossil-fueled
power plants, discuss the impact on maintenance and overall operating cost and
tell plant operators how to get the best bang for the buck, so to speak.
Peter Spinney,
Director, Marketing & Technology Assessment at NeuCo, Inc,
will discuss the implications of recent and emerging air emissions regulations
(including CSAPR and Boiler MACT) on the power industry, what it means for your
plant and differences from past emissions regulations. He will also
highlight how BoilerOpt® can improve overall unit performance, reduce
NOx, and increase boiler reliability which results in fewer adverse
consequences associated with low-NOx operations, including less
slagging, water wall corrosion, ammonia slip and air heater fouling.
William “Bill” Poe,
a consultant with Invensys Process Systems, will provide a brief overview of
optimization of NOx reduction control systems and review a few case
studies of the results. The recent announcement of the Cross State Air Pollution
Rule (CSAPR) has raised the importance and interest in optimization of air
pollution control systems. Optimizing combustion controls as well as SCR
and SNCR systems can significantly impact the emissions of NOx.
Stephen K. Storm,
C.E.M., Senior Consultant, Stephen Storm, Inc,
will share comprehensive and “real world” experiences gained over the past
decades, reviewing factors that should be taken into consideration prior, during
and after any APC project. In addition, his presentation will focus on the
importance of pre-investment planning, preparation and ultimately, the
development of a preservation of performance plan to ensure sustainable,
reliable, efficient and environmentally sound operations.
To register for this “Hot Topic Hour” on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 10:00
a.m. CST, click on:
http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/hot_topic_hour_registration.htm.
Here
are the Headlines for the October 28, 2011 – Utility E-Alert
UTILITY
E-ALERT
#1048 – October 28, 2011
Table of Contents
COAL – US
COAL – WORLD
GAS / OIL – US
GAS / OIL – WORLD
GASIFICATION
NUCLEAR
BUSINESS
HOT TOPIC HOUR
For more information on the Utility Environmental
Upgrade Tracking System, click on:
http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/energy.html#42ei.
----------
CSPR Boosts the NOx Market in U.S. While European Market Slows
The market in the U.S. for NOx control systems is hot as the plains
states scramble to meet the requirements of the new CSPR regulations. The
European market has slowed due to the financial crisis and liberal
interpretation of EU rules. The Chinese market continues to expand robustly.
These are the most recent conclusions in NOx Control World Markets
published continually online by the McIlvaine Company
(www.mcilvainecompany.com).
NOx Control
Equipment |
2012 ($
Millions) |
Africa |
$6.6 |
CIS |
$6.9 |
East Asia |
$3,609.8 |
Eastern Europe |
$302.0 |
Middle East |
$28.8 |
NAFTA |
$1,327.8 |
South & Central America |
$13.6 |
West Asia |
$9.0 |
Western Europe |
$479.9 |
Total |
$5,784.4 |
Chinese power plant selective catalytic reduction systems account for an
appreciable percentage of the total. However, Japan, Taiwan and South
Korea also represent an appreciable replacement market.
The gas turbine market will not be as robust in 2012 as it will be in the
several subsequent years. A number of the gas turbine installations in the U.S.
involve peaking turbines. Special catalysts or cooling systems are required for
this application.
The European market has been reduced by the decision of the lignite power plants
in Germany to meet the limits with combustion control rather than backend
control equipment. The danger is the potential impact on fuel cost and
efficiency.
Cement kilns are a promising growth area. Some plants in Europe are now
equipped with SCR and many plants in Europe and the U.S. are utilizing SNCR.
Catalyst manufacturers are experiencing high utilization of their production
facilities. Catalyst life in coal-fired power plants is five years or less.
Therefore, the replacement business now exceeds that for catalysts for new power
plants. China has added substantial catalyst manufacturing capability but
presently all the manufacturers have backlogs.
For more information on NOx Control World Markets,
http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/air.html#n035
----------
Geothermal Energy Around the World
Geothermal projects are moving forward all around the world. McIlvaine
Renewable Energy Update and Projects tracks them as well as the other
more commonly discussed forms of renewable energy.
*****
Cornwall Council has granted planning permission for the development of the
UK’s first commercial deep geothermal power plant, near Redruth in Cornwall,
Developed by British company Geothermal Engineering Ltd, the plant will provide
both renewable heat for the local area, and renewable electricity, which will be
fed into the National Grid. The plant is expected to be fully operational
in 2013. The announcement marks a major milestone in the development of
geothermal energy in the UK.
The plant is to be built on a brownfield site within an existing industrial
estate. Work will begin in early 2011 to drill 4.5 kilometres into the
ground to access rocks at temperatures of approximately 200 degrees Celsius.
This will be the deepest on-shore well in the UK. The plant will provide
up to 55 MW of renewable heat energy for the local community, and 10 MW of
electricity.
*****
Ormat Technologies Inc. announced that a second Ormat designed and manufactured
geothermal power plant was inaugurated recently in Las Pailas, Costa Rica.
Under a contract with Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economica “BCIE”,
Ormat supplied all the power equipment, supervised the installation and
conducted the testing and start-up of the 42 MW power plant. The field
development and the construction were executed by the Instituto Constarricense
de Electricidad (“ICE”), the Costa Rican National Electricity and
Telecommunications Company which will operate the plant.
The Las Pailas is the second geothermal power plant supplied to Costa Rica
using Ormat Binary Technology.
*****
Green Rock and Pacific Hydro have signed a binding agreement to develop
conventional geothermal resources for power projects. The binding
Memorandum of Understanding covers Green Rock’s North Perth Basin permits in the
energy-hungry Mid West region of Western Australia and Pacific Hydro’s and Green
Rock’s licenses in the Artesian Basin in South Australia. Initial power
projects of at least 25 MW are contemplated in both the North Perth Basin and
the Great Artesian Basin, leading to hundreds of MW of generation from each
basin over the coming decade. Green Rock and Pacific Hydro will jointly
promote the opportunity to upstream investors to farm-in and substantially fund
drilling to prove the resources.
*****
Mustang Geothermal announced that it has started exploration at its
Condoroma-Chaquelles geothermal concession in southern Peru.
The company is excited about the Condoroma Project because of the geothermal
potential of the area and its location relative to major commercial mining
development. Rural and commercial electrical consumers including the
mining industry are in need of additional electrical power sources and it is
Mustang Geothermal’s goal to provide a source of clean, renewable energy to
these consumers.
The Condoroma concession is centered on a string of active thermal springs
three kilometers in length with the measured surface temperature of 58 degrees C
and significant observed water discharge. Based on the geology of the
area, proximity of recent volcanic vents and geophysical/geospatial data used to
evaluate the background of the potential properties, Mustang believes that a
significant geothermal potential exists in the area. The company is poised to
embark on rapid exploration and development to meet the growing power needs in
the region. The concession is close to the major power grid and with the
estimated resource potential could significantly aid in producing abundant,
clean and renewable energy to support both rural and commercial consumers.
*****
Canadian Deep Earth Energy Production Corp. announced “that it has received its
first exclusive area for geothermal power development from the Saskatchewan
Ministry of Energy and Resources.”
The property is secured in a Lease of Space Agreement where the minister has
leased to Deep all rights and interests in the spaces, which may be found to
exist from the top of the Winnipeg Formation to the base of the Deadwood
Formation. The project area is located in Southeast Saskatchewan, west of
Estevan, and totals 5,920 acres (-9.5 sections). Total rental fees for
this project area are less than $10,000/year.
The lease is a 15 year term, renewable for another 15 years if the geothermal
project continues to produce electricity for commercial sale and is in
compliance with all acts and regulations.
An initial estimate from an independent technical report prepared by Borealis
Geopower suggests the potential for – 5MW of electrical generation at this site.
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
----------
You can register for our free McIlvaine Newsletters at:
http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/Free_Newsletter_Registration_Form.htm.
Bob McIlvaine
President
847-784-0012 ext 112
rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
www.mcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com
Copyright © 2011 McIlvaine Company. All Rights Reserved
191 Waukegan Road Suite 208 | Northfield | IL 60093
Ph: 847-784-0012 | Fax: 847-784-0061