AEP to test nitrogen oxide control technology
By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Mar. 8�An experimental nitrogen oxide emission control system will undergo its first commercial scale demonstration beginning this summer at an American Electric Power Co. Inc. (AEP) coal-fired plant in Conesville, Ohio.
AEP and Thermal Energy International Inc., Ottawa, Ont., signed a $1.56 million contract under which the Canadian company will complete final engineering, design, equipment procurement and custom component supply, to support construction of the multimillion dollar system by AEP Pro Serv Inc. at one of the 375 Mw units at Conesville.
The Thermalonox demonstration system, scheduled to be operational in June, is intended show nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at the coal-fired unit can be reduced by at least 75%, said Thermal Energy. The project is also intended to demonstrate the technology can be installed cheaper than currently available NOx reduction technology and in less time. The goal is to lower the cost of complying with Clean Air Act regulations.
The current phase of the project is in addition to a substantial advance received from AEP toward its option to acquire up to 20% of Thermal Energy and license for the technology. The option is part of an alliance announced with AEP in November.
Thermal Energy said it is currently involved in advanced discussions with several other utilities and power providers to fund and host additional demonstrations of the technology in the US and Canada. The company said it is receiving engineering and design support from alliance partner Astaris LLC, the joint venture partnership formed by FMC Corp and Solutia Inc.