Power Systems Mfg., LLC on Track for Reducing Nitrogen Oxide Emissions in Industrial Gas Turbines to 2 ppm Without Selective Catalytic Reduction Hydrogen in Natural Gas Fuel Blends Significantly Lowers Emissions
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Wed Dec 10 08:33:10 2003 EST
JUPITER, Fla., Dec 10, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via Comtex/ --
Power Systems Mfg., LLC
(PSM), a subsidiary of Calpine Corporation (NYSE: CPN), has made a major step
forward toward achieving another industry first for reducing Nitrogen Oxide
(NOx) and Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions from natural gas-fired industrial
turbines. PSM's new technology is expected to lower NOx emissions to 2 parts
per million (ppm) and CO emissions to 0 ppm for E- and F-class gas turbines.
Equally impressive, PSM expects to set these new industry standards without
the need for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) equipment. The company plans
to announce final field-testing results in the first quarter of 2004. Upon
the successful completion of the field validation program, PSM's 2 ppm NOx
system will be available for commercial operation within the next 12-18
months.
PSM completed combustion testing of its Low Emissions Combustion
(LEC) system with hydrogen in natural gas fuel in November 2003, using its
high-pressure combustion rig. The test was performed at representative
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) 7E-class engine conditions. Test results
demonstrated significant emissions reductions with the addition of small
quantities of hydrogen using PSM's patented fuel nozzle technology.
Earlier this year, PSM installed its LEC system into an OEM 7E-class gas
turbine unit in Freeport, Texas. At final settings, the unit's baseload
emissions were 4.75 ppm NOx and 0 ppm CO at a 2,055 degrees F firing
temperature -- meeting PSM's design target of 5.0 ppm NOx and achieving an
industry first for emissions control in an OEM 7E-class turbine. PSM is
building on its LEC success by incorporating hydrogen-blended natural gas into
its LEC systems to further reduce emissions. PSM's LEC performance results
will vary depending upon specific site conditions.
"The test result is a significant milestone in PSM's continuing
development of a cost effective LEC combustion system with a 2 ppm NOx
capability. The new system is designed to provide an alternative to SCR to
lower emissions on natural gas-fired frame machines," said Dr. Peter
Stuttaford, Combustion Manager of PSM.
"Our intent is to commercially field this technology to Calpine and our
clients to avoid the expense of SCR and the associated environmental issues of
ammonia slip and real estate requirements for SCR retrofits. It will also
reduce operating costs and improve plant thermal efficiency," added Tom
Churbuck, PSM's president.
Power Systems Mfg., LLC, based in Jupiter, Fla., is an industry leader in
combustion turbine component engineering design and production. PSM
manufactures new vanes, blades, combustors and other replacement parts for the
industrial gas turbine industry. The company also offers a wide range of LEC
systems and advanced airfoils designed to be transparently compatible for
retrofitting or replacing existing combustion systems or components operating
in General Electric and Siemens Westinghouse turbines. |
