High Value Calcium and Sodium Sorbent Opportunity Created by Catalytic Filter Developments

Hydrated lime with high surface area and micronised trona are two premium sorbent products which will benefit from the new air pollution control technology which combines catalytic filtration with dry sorbent injection (DSI). This technology is likely to be applied at coal-fired power plants, waste-to-energy plants, steel mills, mines and other locations where acid gases, NOx and dust must be captured.

The biggest potential is in developing countries, but there is considerable opportunity in the U.S. and Europe as well. In countries presently without acid gas reduction requirements, the DSI catalytic filter approach will take market share away from wet limestone and dry circulating bed technologies. In the U.S. and Europe, it will represent an option which has two advantages:

•        Better choice for older power plants with shortened life expectancy
•        A route to lower net greenhouse gas emissions due to heat recovery benefits

The DSI catalytic filter is a combination technology which removes acid gases, NOx and particulate in one device. At this point due to low NOx efficiency below 300oF it is limited in its lower temperature range. Two filtration media are used. Fiberglass or synthetic bags use embedded catalyst but are limited in maximum temperature to 450oF. The ceramic fiber media is capable of handling temperatures well above 850oF.

The high surface area of special hydrated lime and micronised trona allow 90 percent acid gas removal with the DSI approach. The catalytic filter also achieves 99 plus percent dust removal and NOx removal above 80 percent. The clean hot gas can then be processed in efficient heat exchangers to greatly reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.

The combination of lower capital cost, less space and lower greenhouse gas emissions offset the slightly higher OPEX costs for the more expensive sorbent. So, not only does the user benefit, but the sorbent suppliers enjoy a much larger market in terms of sorbent revenues.  There is an order of magnitude cost difference between a highly reactive sorbent and limestone.

The coal-fired power plant projects which will use DSI and catalytic filters are tracked in 42EI Utility Tracking System.

Industrial plant projects are tracked in Industrial Air Plants and Projects, click on: https://ilmt.co/PL/lmwZ