Control Device Technology

Barrett Parker, EPA, OAQPS

Example Control Systems



4 VOC control techniques plus capture discussion 5 PM control techniques 2 Acid gas control techniques 3 NOx control techniques

  

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber



General description

Gas molecules stick to the surface of a solid Activated carbon often used as it
  

Has a strong attraction for organics Has a large capacity for adsorption (many pores) Is cheap

Silica gel, activated alumina, and zeolites are also used

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber



General description (continued)

3 types fixed bed (most common), moving bed, and fluidized bed Typically appear in pairs one adsorbing while other desorbs Used for control as well as recovery Regenerated via steam, hot gas, or vacuum Work best if molecular weight of compound between 50 and 200

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber Fixed Bed Schematic

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber Fixed Bed Examples

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber



Factors affecting efficiency

Presence, polarity, and concentration of specific compounds Flow rate Temperature Relative humidity

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber



Performance indicators

Outlet VOC concentration Regeneration cycle timing or bed replacement frequency Total regeneration stream flow or vacuum profile during regeneration cycle Carbon bed activity Bed operating and regeneration temperature

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber



Performance indicators (continued)

Inlet gas temperature Gas flow rate Inlet VOC concentration Pressure differential Inlet gas moisture content Leaks

VOC Control Techniques Carbon Adsorber Manufacturers Specs

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer



General description

Waste gas gets oxidized to water and carbon dioxide Catalyst causes reaction to occur faster and at lower temperatures Saves auxiliary fuel

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer



General description (continued)

Catalysts allow lower operation temperatures (~ 650 to 1000F) Catalyst bed generally lasts from 2 to 5 years


Thermal aging, poisoning, and masking are concerns Residence time and mixing are fixed during design Only temperature and oxygen can be controlled after construction

Excess air is added to assist combustion

 

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer Example Bricks

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer - Schematic

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer



Factors affecting efficiency

Pollutant concentration Flow rate Operating temperature Excess air Waste stream contaminants


Metals, sulfur, halogens, plastics

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer



Performance Indicators

Outlet VOC concentration Catalyst bed inlet temperature Catalyst activity Outlet CO concentration Temperature rise across catalyst bed Exhaust gas flow rate

VOC Control Techniques Catalytic Oxidizer



Performance Indicators (continued)

Catalyst bed outlet temperature Fan current Outlet O2 or CO2 concentration Pressure differential across catalyst bed

VOC Control Techniques - Condenser



General description

Gas or vapor turns to liquid via

 

Lowering temperature or Increasing pressure

Used as pretreatment to reduce volumes Used to collect and reuse some solvents

VOC Control Techniques - Condenser



General description (continued)

Two types contact and surface condensers

 

No secondary pollutants from surface type More coolant needed for contact type

Chilled water, brines, and CFCs used as coolants Efficiencies range from 50 to 95 percent

VOC Control Techniques Condenser - Schematic

VOC Control Techniques - Condenser



Factors affecting efficiency

Pollutant dew point Condenser operating pressure Gas and coolant flow rates Tube plugging or fouling

VOC Control Techniques - Condenser



Performance indicators

Outlet VOC concentration Outlet gas temperature Coolant inlet temperature Coolant outlet temperature Exhaust gas flow rate Pressure differential across condenser

VOC Control Techniques - Condenser



Performance indicators (continued)

Coolant flow rate Pressure differential across coolant refrigeration system Condensate collection rate Inspection for fouling or corrosion

VOC Control Techniques Thermal Oxidizer



General description

Waste gas turns to carbon dioxide and water Operating temperatures between 800 and 2000F Good combustion requires
   

Adequate temperature Turbulent mixing of waste gas with oxygen Sufficient time for reactions to occur Enough oxygen to completely combust waste gas

VOC Control Techniques Thermal Oxidizer



General description (continued)

Only temperature and oxygen concentration can be controlled after construction Waste gas has to be heated to autoignition temperature


Typically requires auxiliary fuel

Common design relies on 0.2 to 2 seconds residence time, 2 to 3 length to diameter ratio, and gas velocity of 10 to 50 feet per second

VOC Control Techniques Thermal Oxidizer - Schematic

VOC Control Techniques Thermal Oxidizer



Factors affecting efficiency

Waste gas flow rate Waste gas composition and concentration Waste gas temperature Amount of excess air

VOC Control Techniques Thermal Oxidizer



Performance indicators

Outlet VOC concentration Outlet combustion temperature Outlet CO concentration Exhaust gas flow rate Fan current Outlet O2 or CO2 concentration Inspections

VOC Control Techniques Capture System



General description

Total efficiency is product of capture and control device efficiencies Two types of systems


Enclosures and local exhausts (hoods) Permanent total (M204) 100% capture efficiency Nontotal or partial must measure capture efficiency

Two types of enclosures

 

VOC Control Techniques Capture System - Schematic

VOC Control Techniques Capture System



Factors affecting efficiency

System integrity System flow

VOC Control Techniques Capture Systems



Performance indicators

Enclosures
  

Face velocity Differential pressure Average face velocity and daily inspections Face velocity Exhaust flow rate in duct near hood Hood static pressure

Exhaust Ventilation
  

PM Control Techniqes - Cyclone



General description

Particles hit wall sides and fall out Often used as precleaners


Especially effective for particles larger than 20 microns

Inexpensive to build and operate Can be combined in series or parallel

PM Control Techniques Cyclone Schematic

PM Control Techniques - Cyclone



Factors affecting efficiency

Component erosion Inlet and outlet plugging Acid gas corrosion Air inleakage

PM Control Techniques - Cyclone



Performance indicators

Opacity Inlet velocity or inlet gas flow rate Pressure differential Inlet temperature

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitator



General Description

Charged particles are attracted to plates and removed from exhaust gas Two types
 

Dry type use mechanical action to clean plates Wet type use water to prequench and to rinse plates

High voltages are required Multiple sections (fields) may be used Efficiencies up to 99% can be obtained

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitator - Schematic

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitator - Schematic

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitators



Factors affecting efficiency

Gas temperature, humidity, flow rate Particle resistivity Fly ash composition Plate length Surface area

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitator



Performance indicators

Outlet PM concentration Opacity Secondary corona power (current and voltage) Spark rate Primary power (current and voltage)

PM Control Techniques Electrostatic Precipitator



Performance indicators (continued)

Inlet gas temperature Gas flow rate Rapper operation Fields in operation Inlet water flow rate (wet type) Flush water solids content (wet type)

PM Control Techniques Electrified Filter Bed



General description

Charged particles are deposited on pea gravel Three parts

  

Ionizer system Filter bed Gravel cleaning and recirculation system

PM Control Techniques Electrified Filter Bed - Schematic

PM Control Techniques Electrified Filter Bed



Factors affecting efficiency

Glaze build up on ionizer or gravel Temperature Ionizer voltage and current Filter bed voltage, current, and temperature Inlet gas temperature

Performance indicators

PM Control Techniques Electrified Filter Bed



Performance indicators (continued)

Pressure differential Gas flow rate Outlet PM concentration Opacity

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter



General description

Particles trapped on filter media, then removed Either interior or exterior filtration systems Up to 99.9% efficiency 4 types of cleaning systems
   

Shaker (off-line) Reverse air (low pressure, long time, off line) Pulse jet (60 to 120 psi air, on line) Sonic horn (150 to 550 Hz @ 120 to 140 dB, on line)

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter - Schematic

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter



Factors affecting efficiency

Filter media
  

Abrasion High temperature Chemical attack

Gas flow Broken or worn bags Blinding

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter



Factors affecting efficiency (continued)

Cleaning system failure Leaks Re-entrainment Damper or discharge equipment malfunction Corrosion

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter



Performance indicators

Outlet PM concentration Bag leak detectors Outlet opacity Pressure differential Inlet temperature Temperature differential

PM Control Techniques Fabric Filter



Performance indicators (continued)

Exhaust gas flow rate Cleaning mechanism operation Fan current Inspections and maintenance

PM Control Techniques Wet Scrubber



General description

Particles (and gases) get trapped in liquids



Inertial impaction and diffusion

Liquids must contact pollutants and dirty liquids must be removed from exhaust gas Four types


Spray; venturi or orifice; spray rotors; and moving bed or packed towers

PM Control Techniques Wet Scrubber - Schematic

PM Control Techniques Wet Scrubber



Factors affecting efficiency

Gas and liquid flow rate Condensation of aerosols Poor liquid distribution High dissolved solids content in liquid Nozzle erosion or pluggage Re-entrainment Scaling

PM Control Techniques Wet Scrubber



Performance indicators

Pressure differential Liquid flow rate Gas flow rate Scrubber outlet gas temperature Makeup / blowdown rates Scrubber liquid solids content (PM)

PM Control Techniques Wet Scrubber



Performance indicators (continued)

Scrubber inlet gas and process exhaust gas temperature (PM) Scrubber liquid outlet concentration (Acid gas) Scrubber liquid pH (Acid gas) Neutralizing chemical feed rate (Acid gas) Scrubber liquid specific gravity (Acid gas)

Acid Gas Control Techniques Dry Injection



General description

Sorbent reacts with gas to form salts that are removed in a PM control device (fabric filter) Hydrated lime and sodium bicarbonate often used as sorbents

Acid Gas Control Techniques Dry Injection - Schematic

Acid Gas Control Techniques Dry Injection



Factors affecting efficiency

Dry sorbent injection rate Emission stream gas temperature Residence or reaction time Degree of turbulence Other PM control device used factors

Acid Gas Control Techniques Dry Injection



Performance indicators

Outlet acid gas concentration Sorbent feed rate Fabric filter inlet temperature Sorbent carrier gas flow rate Sorbent / carrier gas nozzle pressure differential Sorbent specifications

Acid Gas Control Techniques Dry Injection



Performance indicators (continued)

Inlet gas / process exhaust temperatures Exhaust gas flow rate Other PM control device used indicators

Acid Gas Control Techniques Spray Dryer



General description

Alkali sorbent slurry turns acid gas into PM that is collected by a control device Slurry is usually lime and water

Acid Gas Control Techniques Spray Dryer - Schematic

Acid Gas Control Techniques Spray Dryer



Factors affecting efficiency

Slurry feed rate Residence or reaction time Emission stream gas temperature Slurry reactor outlet temperature Slurry droplet size Other PM control device used factors

Acid Gas Control Techniques Spray Dryer



Performance indicators

Outlet acid gas concentration Alkali feed rate to slurry mix tank Water feed rate to slurry mix tank Slurry feed rate and droplet size Spray dryer inlet gas / process exhaust temperature Other PM control device indicators

NOx Control Techniques Selective Catalytic Reduction



General description

Ammonia or urea is injected into exhaust streams with plenty of oxygen to reduce nitrogen oxide to nitrogen and oxygen Efficiency ranges from 70 to 90 percent Catalysts made from base and precious metals and zeolites Operating temperatures range from 600 to 1100F

NOx Control Techniques Selective Catalytic Reduction - Schematic

NOx Control Techniques Selective Catalytic Reduction



Factors affecting efficiency

Catalyst activity Masking or poisoning Space velocity (gas flow rate divided by bed volume) Excess ammonia or urea slip

NOx Control Techniques Selective Catalytic Reduction



Performance indicators

Outlet nitrogen oxide concentration Ammonia / urea injection rate Catalyst bed inlet temperature Catalyst activity Outlet ammonia / urea concentration Catalyst bed outlet temperature

NOx Control Techniques Selective Catalytic Reduction



Performance indicators (continued)

Inlet gas flow rate Fuel sulfur content Pressure differential across catalyst bed

NOx Control Techniques Non Selective Catalytic Reduction



General description

Low oxygen exhaust gas transforms via catalytic reaction to water, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen Catalysts made from noble metals Efficiency ranges from 80 to 90 percent Operating temperatures range from 700 to 1500F

NOx Control Techniques Non Selective Catalytic Reduction



Factors affecting efficiency

Catalyst activity Masking or poisoning Space velocity (gas flow rate divided by bed volume) Catalyst material

NOx Control Techniques Non Selective Catalytic Reduction



Performance indicators

Outlet nitrogen oxide concentration Catalyst bed inlet temperature Catalyst activity Catalyst bed outlet temperature Inlet gas flow rate Pressure differential across catalyst bed Outlet oxygen concentration

NOx Control Techniques Water or Steam Injection



General description

Water or steam injected in combustion zone reduces temperature and nitrogen oxide formation Only thermal nitrogen oxides reduced Reductions range from 60 to 80 percent Water must be atomized

NOx Control Techniques Water or Steam Injection - Schematic

NOx Control Techniques Water or Steam Injection



Factors affecting efficiency

Water quality Quantity of water injected Combustor design Combustor materials Turbine load cycle

NOx Control Techniques Water or Steam Injection



Performance indicators

Outlet nitrogen oxide concentration Water to fuel ratio Fuel bound nitrogen concentration