NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                                APRIL 2014

New Service Helps Power Plants Make the Best Air Pollution Control Decisions

Power plants around the world will spend over $30 billion in each of the next ten years to solve their air pollution problems. The cost of removal of particulate and gaseous pollutants is steadily falling thanks to new technology and the benefits of experience. At the same time, the ability to obtain even higher efficiency is increasing. The amount of useful data and experience is immense and not easily obtained or absorbed by those making decisions.

McIlvaine has introduced a new concept which is a hybrid of free and paid services. Free of charge power plant operators can access a number of websites dedicated to aspects of air pollution control.

The first three available now are:

Each of these sites is continually updated with background information which is arranged for ease of access and comprehension. In addition, periodic webinars and decisive analyses provide insights as to the lowest life cycle cost options. Systems, components, chemicals, and materials are all investigated.

The background information is available to everyone free of charge. The information is displayed in carefully arranged intelligence systems to provide both ease of access and decision making value. An example would be the choice to label vessel type dry scrubbers as the “chamber type.” Originally these were labeled as “Circulating Dry Scrubbers” (CDS).   However, participants in a recent webinar agreed that entrained flow scrubbers should not be a sub category under CDS due to important differences. The new classification will alert power plants that there are significant differences between the two types.

Periodic webinars are conducted covering the subject matter on each website. For example, on March 27 a number of utilities, EPA, consultants and suppliers spent 90 minutes reviewing data on dry scrubbing using chambers or vessels. Another webinar covering in-duct sorbent injection is scheduled. A webinar on chemicals used with treatment systems to reduce mercury is slated for April 10. Suppliers are being encouraged to submit case histories for review during this McIlvaine webinar, but also for a UN (IEA) meeting scheduled for late April in Florida.

Power plant owner/operators can participate in the webinars and access the decisive analyses at no charge.

Suppliers can submit information to McIlvaine and view the free intelligence systems on each site. With a subscription to 44I Power Plant Air Quality Decisions they can also participate in the webinars and view the decisive analyses.