EOS to Supply Product to Coal-Fired Power Plant
Environmental Operating Solutions, Inc. has been selected by a major North American power producer to supply its MicroCg™ product to a coal-fired power plant.
MicroCg™ is a non-hazardous liquid carbon source that will be used in the denitrification process of a wastewater treatment facility at the power station. Wastewater is generated at the power station by an emissions control system. The multi-year agreement marks the company’s first application in the energy industry.
"We are pleased that our non-hazardous, environmentally sustainable MicroCg™ product has been selected for this application," said Eric Stoermer, president and chief executive officer. "Traditionally our products have been used by municipal wastewater treatment plants in domestic wastewater applications. We view the energy industry as a significant opportunity to grow business in our industrial wastewater treatment segment."
Coal-fired power stations have adopted a variety of technologies to meet U.S. regulations aimed at reducing air pollutants generated from the combustion of fossil fuels. Two of the most widespread and effective systems, flue gas desulphurization (FGD) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR), target sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, respectively. While these processes scrub the air, they produce wastewater streams containing byproducts like ammonia and other trace elements that must be treated before being discharged to surface or groundwater. Depending on environmental regulations, water sources, and plant design, these streams often require biological treatment and denitrification.
As the U.S. continues to pursue strict air quality standards through legislation such as the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), the need for wastewater treatment facilities attached to coal-fired power plants is anticipated to grow along with the number of FGD and SCR installations. EPA estimates that total FGD capacity is expected to grow from approximately 100 gigawatts (GW) in 2006 to 231 GW by 2020. Plants employing SCR systems will increase from 100 GW to more than 150 GW by 2020. One gigawatt of electricity can power approximately 500,000 average sized homes.
EOS was established in 2003 and is based in Bourne, Mass.