06-17-10

New NO_x Technology will drive the Market - Hot Topic June 17, 2010

The Hot Topic Hour yesterday yielded its share of surprises. There is lots of activity in catalyst design, catalyst regeneration, and strategies to cope with new regulations. One no longer can consider NO_x reduction options without also considering the impact on SO₃, ammonia slip, mercury and toxic organics.

T.R Stobert of Cormetech reported on a new catalyst which will do a better job of mercury oxidation. It can be used alone or in combination with existing NO_x catalyst. So a power plant could have one layer of the new catalyst along with layers of the standard catalyst. In any case, this catalyst is designed to take out both NO_x and oxidize mercury without raising SO₃ conversion. T.R. also revealed developments on a catalyst which will decompose ammonia. Where the NH₃/NO_x ratio is low it could reduce ammonia slip by 50 percent, but where the ratio is high, it would be much more effective than present catalyst. This catalyst is expected to be used in a separate layer from the standard NO_x catalyst.

Scott Hinton of W.S. Hinton & Associates summarized the following issues and trends:

Ø Almost all installations now requiring +90 percent NO_x removal.

Ø Ammonia slip is being held to 2 ppmv or less.

Ø The competitive environment is forcing low cost, reduced volumes, minimization of pressure drop, and maximized life.

Ø Catalyst manufacturers are working hard to develop optimum formulations to maximize specific deNO_x activity while maintaining other performance parameters (SO₂ conversion, volume, pressure drop, etc.)

Ø Decreased wall thickness generally lowers SO₂ conversion without adversely affecting deNO_xactivity, but may affect physical strength and ability to regenerate.

Ø Catalyst manufacturers are beginning to offer guarantees and are working to maximize mercury oxidation without adversely affecting other performance parameters.

Ø Changes in catalyst design may impact ability to regenerate and/or the performance of the regenerated catalyst.

Mike Cooper of CoaLogix provided a valuable explanation of the mechanisms for NO_x removal in SCR systems. He indicated that regeneration is possible with thinner walls and that the new requirements such as mercury oxidation can be done equally well with regenerated catalyst.

The BIOS, ABSTRACTS AND PHOTOS can be viewed as follows: BIOS, PHOTOS, ABSTRACTS - JUNE 17, 2010.htm

The Individual slides can be viewed in the NOx Decision Tree as follows:

MIKE COOPER – COALOGIX / SCR TECH

►

►

►

►