“Particulate and Condensable Removal" was the Hot Topic Hour on April 26, 2012
Both wet precipitators and fluid bed absorbers followed by fabric filters can achieve low emissions of particulate and condensables. This was the message delivered by three speakers with over 100 years of experience in the industry.
Steve Jaasund, Manager, Geoenergy Division of A. H. Lundberg Associates in Bellevue Washington, discussed the effective control of solid and condensable particulates with wet ESPs. Recent data on wood-fired boilers and municipal waste incinerators shows very low emissions. The cost of WESPs can be reduced because of greater knowledge relative to the selection of corrosion resistant alloys and the ability to utilize the duplex stainless option.
Terence (Terry) R. Ake, Product Manager for Circulating Dry Scrubber Technology (CDS) at Babcock Power, Inc., stated that effective removal of particulate and the acid gases that form condensable particulate can be achieved with a fabric filter and injecting lime, water, and recirculated byproduct in an upstream reactor. Standards for condensable particulate continue to evolve. Field data of operating CDS systems show that the CDS eliminates any uncertainty of meeting the particulate, SO2, and HAPS regulations for existing Electric Generating Units, including condensable particulate.
James "Buzz" Reynolds, Vice-president of WESP Technology for Siemens Environmental Systems and Solutions, provided performance data on several new utility wet precipitators. They are achieving very low outlet emissions. Operating costs are low compared to dry lime injection and a fabric filter. The only negative is the higher initial cost ($ 40-70/kW). Studies show that over 25 years the life cycle cost is less. Activated carbon can be added ahead of the scrubber to improve mercury removal. Buzz alerted the participants to the forthcoming PM2.5 regulations which as proposed do include condensables.
The Bios, Abstracts and Photos information is linked below.