A proposal aimed at reducing sulphur emissions during coal combustion – and thereby enhancing the saleability of Ohio’s high-sulphur coal – has been approved by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). OAQDA has authorised a grant of $538,887 from its Ohio Coal Development Office programme to Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group for a project to further develop oxy-coal combustion technology for high-sulphur Ohio coal in new and existing boilers. The project is part of the $150 million Ohio Advanced Energy Stimulus Programme.
Oxy-combustion technology involves the replacement of combustion air inside boilers at coal-based power plants by nearly pure oxygen diluted in recycled flue gases. B&W PGG has been developing the technology for the past decade, and it now seeks to address the issue of elevated SO3 concentrations at its 1.8 MW pilot-scale facility, SBS-II, in Barberton. A “dry scrubber” system will be employed to aid in the reduction of SO2, SO3 and particulate emissions into the air.
The oxy-combustion process also provides an efficient and cost-effective means for controlling and capturing carbon dioxide produced during coal combustion, and also addresses concerns regarding boiler corrosion caused by the high-sulphur content of some coals.
B&W PGG and its partner, Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc., will provide the remaining funding, equivalent to the OAQDA portion, bringing in the total project cost to $1,077,775.
