Cartridge Sales for High Tech Applications to Exceed $7 Billion

Liquid cartridge sales for high tech applications will exceed $7 billion in 2020 according to Cartridge Filters World Market published by the McIlvaine Company.  (www.mcilvainecompany.com)

Liquid Cartridge Sales ($ Millions)

Many industries need membrane or high efficiency nonwoven cartridges to remove very small particles from liquids.  There are special conditions such as high temperature which require ceramics or metals.   These high technology filters comprise nearly one-third of the market.  Lower efficiency nonwovens and carbon block filters for residential, commercial, and industrial filtration account for the other two-thirds.

The pharmaceutical industry will spend $2 billion for high technology filters in 2020.  Most of these filters will be used in the manufacture of the product as opposed to water or wastewater treatment. The power industry’s use of cartridge for boiler feedwater is relative modest because of the reliance on cross-flow membranes as an alternative. The food industry is also showing a preference for the cross-flow membrane technology as an alternative to cartridges. The reasons are two old:

·       Cross-flow membrane systems are self-cleaning and do not need to be frequently replaced.

·       Pressure loss across the systems is constant as is performance.

For more information on N024 Cartridge Filters: World Market, click on:  http://home.mcilvainecompany.com/index.php/markets/2-uncategorised/117-n024

Operators Are Challenged To Keep Up With Latest Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Technology

A number of new products, services and processes combined with changing regulations are making it difficult to make the right decisions relative to the purchase of new gas turbine and combined cycle components.   Operation and maintenance decisions are also being impacted by new options and new demands.  McIlvaine is offering an organized decisions program to ease the effort and help operators make the best choices. 

The basic decision is whether to start with a simple cycle or combined cycle design.  One option is to add the steam cycle later.  In any case, the fuel efficiency is low without the combined cycle operation. If the plant is going to be situated at the site of an old coal-fired power plant, the owner must decide whether to use the existing boiler feedwater treatment and wastewater systems.  There is even the possibility to use the existing boiler for steam generation. Fuel selection is very important.  Which will be the primary fuel and will there be a liquid backup fuel which can be stored on site?  A recent additional option is LNG which can be delivered by what is called the virtual pipeline (truck).  China is planning massive use of coal-derived gas.

The emission control approach differs greatly between simple and combined cycle operations.  In the simple cycle system, the selective catalytic system for NO_x reduction is subjected to high temperatures.  Use of an expensive high temperature catalyst is one option.  An alternative is to bleed in ambient air and operate at lower temperatures.

The method by which NH₃ is delivered to the catalyst system differs.  Urea to ammonia processes eliminate safety hazards during transport.  Aqueous ammonia has low safety risks but is more expensive than anhydrous ammonia.

Cooling options include wet, hybrid and dry cooling.  There are cost implications as well as environmental.  The energy required for dry cooling with air cooled condensers is high.  Another concern is capacity in hot weather.  One the other hand, dry cooling is an answer to water scarcity or difficulty in obtaining a water permit.

The water and wastewater issues can be avoided even with wet cooling. Many plants are opting to use treated municipal wastewater.  They can also install Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems.  Assuming that the treated municipal wastewater would otherwise have been sent to a receiving stream, the GTCC plant can claim to reduce area water pollution rather than increase it.

It is desirable to take a holistic view when selecting components.  The question of pulse jet cleanable intake filters vs. static filters should factor in the valve system used to clean the pulsed filters. A better design pulse cleaning system may be just as important as a better filter medium.

There are pump design considerations based on the fast cycling needs.  The drive decisions are also impacted.  Pumps for once-through cooling can be fitted with variable speed drives to make flow adjustments. One reason to adjust flow is to minimize damage to aquatic life. There are substantial analyses of this phenomenon.

Electric, hydraulic and pneumatic actuator each have advantages and disadvantages.  The best option varies with the service. There are a number of innovations in HRSG design to adapt to the fast cycling needs. Just to keep up with new developments with this technology is a challenge.

There are many operational challenges.  Should you repair or replace service valves?  An alternative to buying the lowest first cost valve and then replacing it frequently is to buy the best valve and repair rather than replace it.  Operational problems with rapid cycling GTCC systems include Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC).  Stellite delamination of valves is another problem created by rapid cycling. 

Rapid progress is being made with gas turbine combined cycle power plants. In order to stay abreast, consider Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions.

Headlines for Utility E-Alert – June 12, 2015

UTILITY E-ALERT

#1227– June 12, 2015

Table of Contents

COAL – US

·       NC issues Permits for Coal Ash Landfills in Chatham, Lee Counties

COAL – WORLD

·       Signing of Supply Contract for CFB Boiler for Coal-fired Power Plant Facilities to Tanjung Power Indonesia

·       Orascom and Siemens plan Two Coal-fired Power Plants

·       Emerson to automate New NTPC Limited Power Plant for Power Station in Odisha, India

GAS/OIL – US

• CPV plans to develop $900 Million Natural Gas-fired Power Plant in Pennsylvania

GAS/OIL – WORLD

·       Reliance Power to set up a 3 GW LNG powered Combined Cycle Energy Project in Bangladesh

·       Azito Energie to boost Ivory Coast Gas-fired Power Plant Capacity by 139 MW

·       GE awarded Agreement for Combined Cycle Power Plant in Russia

·       Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny (Ireland) to open Great Island Combined Cycle Power Plant

BIOMASS

• Mayo Renewable Power announces closing of the financing of its Renewable Energy Power Plant in County Mayo, Ireland

NUCLEAR

• Water shortages pose risks to Bangladesh’s First Nuclear Power Plant

BUSINESS

• OEMS and Consultants purchase or influence Nearly Half of All Flow Control and Treatment Products and Services
• One Small Change for Boilers, One Big Change for Coal

INDUSTRIAL VALVE SUMMIT - ITALY

• Providing the Interface between End Users and Suppliers

HOT TOPIC HOUR

·       “SO₃ Removal Options” is the Hot Topic Hour on June 18, 2015 at 10 a.m. CDT

·       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