Why It Is Important To Monitor Ammonia Slip In A Coal Fired Power Power Plant

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Oct. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Monitoring flue gas ammonia slip in a coal fired power plant is performed immediately after the SNCR/SCR and is a very challenging task, but extremely important for process efficiency of the pollution control equipment.  The flue gas is filled with high levels of sulfur dioxide, particulate, hydrochloric acid and many other corrosive and noxious gases making the ammonia measurement a very complicated and difficult gas to monitor.  However, the Model 7000 Laser Monitor is designed to achieve an accurate and reliable continuous measurement no matter how complicated or demanding the measurement may be.

Cemtek’s Model 7000 Laser Monitor is a continuous monitor designed to measure flue gases for both compliance and process monitoring in the most demanding applications. The controller uses a near infrared (NIR) Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectrometer System utilizing a single mode “DFB” laser for unsurpassed accuracy and performance. Since the spectral purity of the laser is high and the selected absorption feature is unique, measurements can be made free of interferences from any other gas. The measurements are made in‐situ across the stack or duct in either a single or dual pass design depending upon the application. A Windows based software package is available to display the data on either a host laptop PC or the client’s existing data acquisition system.

Controlling ammonia slip across the SCR catalyst has many advantages for coal fired power plants including:

All power plants subject to the new EPA MATS regulations are now required to monitor and control Mercury emissions.  Studies have proven that excess ammonia slip decreases the conversion rate of elemental mercury causing higher levels of mercury emissions.  Controlling the excessive ammonia slip will in effect lower the total mercury emissions allowing the power plant to capture more oxidized mercury.

Controlling excessive ammonia slip will reduce plant shutdowns caused by excess corrosion in the ducts caused by ammonia, and air preheater blocking due to Ammonia bi-sulfate (ABS) formation.  Power plant shutdowns and startups are very costly and including an ammonia slip monitor is key to reducing these outages.

Reduce costs associated with ammonia usage and prolongs the SCR catalyst life.

New regulations are requiring lowered NOx limits.  Controlling ammonia slip across the SCR catalyst improves overall efficiency of NOx control systems.

For those facilities mandated to monitor ammonia slip by their state agency or EPA, the Model 7000 Laser Monitor is EPA compliant and meets CEMS operating and certification requirements.

Cemtek Environmental provides a single source for cost effective Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) design, integration and field services. All phases of air monitoring and reporting requirements are provided using our network of highly skilled field service technicians, CEMS specialists, Engineers and extensive CEMS design experience.