Optimization Hot Topic Presenters target CO₂ and Mercury Reduction along with Efficiency Improvements

In the Optimization Hot Topic Hour yesterday there were some interesting macro insights along with the more narrow ones. CO₂ and mercury make the balancing act even more difficult. NO_x removal had already complicated the operations but adding in two more pollutants makes all the decisions that much more complicated.

The optimization software is no better than the input knowledge and it is no better than the instrumentation which is needed to adjust operational factors. The four speakers yesterday reflected this interdependence. Stewart Nicholson of Primex focused on the basic knowledge needed to optimize a dry scrubbing system. Scott Affelt of Zolo Technologies and David Clifford of ThermoFisher provided details on improved instrumentation to measure critical factors. Peter Spinney of NeuCo explained how big savings are achieved with software to bring it all together.

Peter Spinney is Director of Market and Technology Assessment at NeuCo. He states that real-time intelligent optimization technologies can reduce CO₂ emissions as a function of improved boiler efficiency and heat rate. Compared with hardware-based alternatives and physical retrofits, intelligent optimization preserves existing assets, requires significantly lower capital investment and maintenance costs, minimizes installation lead time, and delivers a flexible solution platform.

     Peter Spinney

Dave Clifford told the attendees that continuous measurement of the unburned carbon in the flyash can pay big dividends in better efficiency, lower CO₂ and other pollutants. Decreasing the unburned carbon can make the difference between salable and unsalable flyash. The TEOM Series 4200 Carbon in Ash Monitor makes measurements every 12 minutes. With coal blending and other fuel variables this continuous accurate measurement pays big dividends.

Stewart Nicholson of Primex pointed out all the variables which can cause a plant to use twice as much lime per ton of SO₂ removed than they should. Primex analyzes operations, recommends fixes and then trains the operators to maintain good operation.

In response to questions relative to the efficiency of a spray drier FGD, Stewart says that 95 percent removal efficiency is easily achievable and that he has examples as high as 98 percent.

Scott Affelt of Zolo described a way to accurately measure O₂, CO, CO₂, H₂O and temperature using laser spectroscopy and typically a 15 path system in the boiler.

Individual power points can be accessed in the FGD Decision Tree as follows:

Peter Spinney – NeuCo

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

CO₂ Benefits from Real-Time Integrated Optimization presented by Peter Spinney, NeuCo at Hot Topic Hour April 10, 2008.

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Peter Spinney NeuCo Hot Topic Hour April 20, 2008.htm
 

David Clifford - ThermoFisher

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

TEOM Series 4200 Carbon in Ash Monitor, presented by David Clifford, ThermoFisher. Hot Topic Hour April 10 2008

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/David Clifford ThermoFisher, Hot Topic Hour April 10, 2008.htm
 

Scott Affelt – Zolo Technologies

Continuing Decision Process For: Products

Zolo BOSS Boiler Optimization Spectroscopy Sensor, presented by Scott Affelt - Hot Topic Hour April 10, 2008

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Scott Affelt Zolo Technologies Hot Topic Hour April 10, 2008.pdf

Stewart Nicholson – Primex Process 

Continuing Decision Process For: Analysis

Scrubber Performance Optimization presented by Stewart Nicholson - Primex Process Specialists - Hot Topic Hour - April 10, 2008

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/FGD_Decision_Tree/subscriber/Tree/DescriptionTextLinks/Stewart Nicholson - Primex Process SpecialistsHot_topic_Primex.pdf