| Abstract: | Control of particulate emissions from pulverized coal fired steam generators is becoming a significant factor in the siting and public acceptability of large coal burning power plants. The particulate emission limit established by the EPA for new coal fired boilers is 0.03 lb/106 Btu (13 ng/J) Possibly more restrictive than this is the state of New Mexico's particulate regulation which calls for no more than 0.05 lb/106 Btu (22 ng/J) total, and no more than 0.02 lb/106 Btu (9 ng/J) less than 2 microns in diameter. This paper will evaluate the effect of these stringent limitations on the technical feasibility and economics of dry particulate removal. Electrostatic precipitators have been the dominant particulate collection device in the electric utility industry for many years because of their low capital and operating cost. However, increasingly stringent emission standards have led to substantially higher costs for precipitators. These costs have increased sufficiently for fabric filtration to become a competitive alternative in achieving cost effective control. This paper will compare the economics and performance of fabric filtration with respect to conventional electrostatic precipitators. The paper will also address the preliminary evaluation procedures that should be followed in order to select the appropriate device for new or existing coal-fired boilers. |
