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U.S. Department of Energy
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SoCal cogeneration: SCR or methanol - or else

Journal Article · · Cogeneration; (United States)
OSTI ID:6778781

California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) will issue no more permits for cogeneration plants unless they are fitted with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices, or burn methanol fuel. In this way, the district hopes to solve its unique problem of NOx emissions, anticipate an upcoming EPA order and avoid overt opposition to cogeneration, which has both public and political support in the state. The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and methanol technologies are said to be available and economically feasible. Methanol, whose use produces very little NOx compared with other fuels, is abundantly available, relatively inexpensive and requires relatively simple changes in combustion turbines. According to proponents of cogeneration, SCR may solve the NOx and political problems of the district but it could threaten cogen's future in the district. Many consultants and suppliers believe that both technologies will prove far more costly than the district estimates, prohibitively so in the case of SCR.

OSTI ID:
6778781
Journal Information:
Cogeneration; (United States), Journal Name: Cogeneration; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN COGEE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English