White Paper: Benefits Of Combining SCR Systems And Optimization

By NeuCo, Inc.

While SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems are extremely effective at NOx reduction, they are expensive to build and operate and often introduce operating challenges such as ammonia slip, the formation of ammonium sulfate and ammonium bisulfate, and excess SO3. This paper will discuss the benefits of applying real-time optimization software to units with SCR systems to address tightening emissions regulations while improving the efficiency of SCR operations. These comparatively inexpensive optimization systems reduce NOx at the source and allow power generators to run their SCRs less aggressively or with less reagent.

This paper presents results of combined combustion and SCR optimization at Dynegy's Baldwin Energy Complex, implemented as part of NeuCo's US Department of Energy Clean Coal Power Initiative Phase 1 project. It shows how optimization has reduced SCR-related costs by reducing ammonia consumption, mitigating negative SCR-related side-effects and simultaneously improving boiler operations.