Post-combustion emissions considerations.
Recently, regulatory agencies have begun to push for tighter emissions targets. Historically, post-combustion NOx control on biomass boilers (if required) would be achieved by utilizing selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) technology. The SNCR process involves injecting ammonia or urea in a 1600 to 1900F gas temperature window to reduce uncontrolled NOx while producing water vapor and nitrogen. There are practical SNCR-based NOx reduction limits. The reaction is not perfect. Ammonia slip (excess ammonia due to imperfect mixing) and residence time (in the 1600 to 1900F temperature window) are integral to the reaction process. SCR technology can achieve higher NOx reduction with ammonia slip values less than SNCR systems. The conventional “high dust” SCR process involves injecting ammonia in a typical 600 to 750F temperature window upstream of a catalyst surface. Again the ammonia reacts with the NOx to produce water vapor and nitrogen. SCR catalyst manufacturers have deactivation concerns due to biomass flyash poisoning and unburned carbon carryover. While there is limited biomass-fired SCR experience in the U.S., the industry experience base is growing. That experience supports fluid-bed technology with a conventional SCR for clean wood fuels. Operating results indicate a catalyst life that would be acceptable to most operating companies. The industry is also gaining experience with “low dust” SCR applications. The reaction process is the same as the high dust application; however, a low dust SCR places the catalyst downstream of particulate controls. Typically biomass has low sulfur content. Inherent wood ash alkalis provide some SO2 and HCl emissions reduction. SO2 control, if necessary, can be accomplished with reagent injection. The potential SO2 generated in a BFB can be reduced by as much as 50 to 80%, based upon the sulfur conversion rate coupled with sufficient Ca/S molar ratios. HCl emissions are reduced by excess SO2 reagent. In fact, HCl is preferentially removed over SO2 given the correct temperature window. For CFBs, SO2 reductions of 90 to 95% are typically achieved with limestone added to the bed material. The calcining reaction is a primary reason the IRCFB combustion process controls furnace temperature over the entire furnace height. The particulate matter leaving the boiler system can be controlled by either a baghouse or an electrostatic precipitator. The use of a baghouse, in lieu of a precipitator, enhances SO2 removal and other acid gases such as HCI due to the intimate gas-to-solids contact created within the filter cake.