Reducing the Cost of Compliance and Improving Plant Operations for Coal-Fired Boilers

Compliance with new environmental regulations for coal-fired boilers and other industrial sources has become a multi-pollutant effort in which minimizing costs is important. For example, the cost of mercury control chemicals is the largest cost associated with achieving mercury compliance under Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS). Reducing the costs associated with maintaining emissions limits requires a deep understanding of process chemistry and equipment operation. ADA-ES, Inc. conducted its first mercury control test on a coal-fired power plant in 1990 and has since conducted over 100 demonstrations at plants throughout North America. The company has also provided activated carbon injection systems for 140 boilers, and collaborated on the development and testing of the industryleading mercury CEMS systems. ADA is now offering the industry a review of system operation with the objective of reducing the costs and increasing the reliability of MATS compliance. During this paper, an overview of the challenges associated with achieving reliable compliance with MATS and other new regulations will be provided, along with ADA’s approach to supporting reliable compliance by reviewing, monitoring, and supporting operations from coal-pile to stack.