Carbon injection systems to reduce emissions

3rd June 2016

Environmental and emissions compliance service and technology provider ADA-ES (ADA) chief product officer Sharon Sjostrom, announced early last month that two companies had selected ADA’s Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) systems to reduce mercury emissions from their coal-fired boilers.

The companies are implementing the systems to meet compliance targets set by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Industrial Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (IB MACT) standards and Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS).

The two clients have bought a combined five ACI systems, reports Sjostrom.

She explains that one of the clients ordered four ACI systems to assist with controlling mercury emissions from the coal-fired industrial boilers used in their sugar manufacturing process, adding that with ADA’s ACI system, this manufacturer can be more confident it will remain compliant with IB MACT standards throughout the year, regardless of seasonal temperatures and other factors that may impact on mercury emissions levels.

A power plant is buying the second ACI system to provide flexibility if it needs to change sorbents to address operational conditions.

Commenting on the systems, Sjostrom states that ADA’s ACI systems are an established commercial technology for reducing mercury emissions from coal-fired boiler flue gases and that ACI systems can be used as a standalone technology or as a key part of an integrated solution, since it can be easily integrated into a facility’s existing plant configuration.

“Understanding the variety of factors that impact compliance, operating cost and reliability is essential as companies weigh their options to comply with environmental regulations,” says Sjostrom.

She concludes: “Operating coal-fired boilers while controlling emissions is a dynamic challenge, since changes in fuel, equipment operations, reagents and even seasonal variations can impact successful compliance. “ADA is delighted to help these clients address compliance challenges in increasingly competitive energy markets through our innovative and cost-effective solutions.”