NEWS RELEASE JULY 2015
The Biggest Opportunity in Air Pollution Control Is “Total Solutions”
Owners of power plants with air pollution challenges are increasingly looking for suppliers who will provide a “Total Solution.” In the broadest sense, this can be the determination of how to meet the emission goals followed by a turnkey installation with operational and maintenance support. A webinar at 10:00 a.m. CDT on August 20 will review the opportunities and provide owners with options that are available and the advantages of each. This webinar is free of charge.
The most common explanation for the lack of “Total Solutions” knowledge in the industry is the retirement of experienced people and the lack of replacements. McIlvaine contends that the real reason is the explosion of knowledge. The complex technology options and support knowledge available to the young engineer are an order of magnitude greater than to his predecessor. If he does not have the same full grasp of the knowledge, it is because there is ten times as much to try to assimilate.
This gap between user and supplier knowledge is greatest in developing countries. It is also true in China where much development has taken place, but there are still many areas where international companies have far superior knowledge.
Plant owners are increasingly aware of this inadequacy. They can readily be persuaded to pay suppliers for the solution. Here are some of the factors justifying an outside vendor solution.
| Factor | Example |
| Complex systems with multiple control steps | Coal-fired boilers, cement kilns, chemical processes, aluminum rolling mills |
| Valuable final product recovery | Precious metal mining |
| Valuable process product recovery | Refinery catalyst, solvents in chemical and surface treatment |
| Difficult compliance with air permit | Many industries in many countries where even start up and shut down emissions are important. McIlvaine is helping a large Chinese power plant which must meet zero liquid discharge requirements |
| Safety | Explosive gases |
| Health | Semiconductor toxic fumes |
| Potential for air pollution control system to negatively impact operations | Many industries |
| Lack of skilled personnel within the plant | Continuous trend |
| Success of remote monitoring | Applicable to all pollutants and operating parameters |
| Ability of suppliers to provide a lower cost alternative | Reduction of repairs, downtime, energy consumption, etc. |
The options available include:
| Options | Example |
| Preliminary system design | CECO offers CFD modeling and design for rolling mill fume control including the important industrial ventilation ductwork to reduce air volume |
| Turnkey system with unique combination of pollution control devices | Megtec sewage sludge incineration systems with oxidizer, scrubber and wet precipitator. Tri Mer supplies PM2.5 NOx reduction and acid gas capture in one device |
| Turnkey system with total operational control | FLS offers this option for cement kilns |
| System and reagent integration | Dürr and ClearChem supply pulverized limestone injection in the furnace followed by a catalytic filter |
| BOO and by-product sales | MET offers this system to convert SO2 to ammonium sulfate fertilizer |
| Remote monitoring of operations | Many examples |
| Guaranteed cost bag replacement program | Supplier monitors operations and replaces bags as needed at a fixed yearly cost |
| Routine service programs | Replace all parts in system, regular inspections, continuous remote monitoring |
The webinar will be free of charge to both suppliers and plant owners. McIlvaine will be compiling a decision guide with assistance from the suppliers over the next few weeks. Those with information on Total Solutions which they would like to share should contact Bob McIlvaine at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 847 784 0012 ext. 112
