Energy cost of NOx control. [Combustion efficiency usually lowered]

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7274340

Thomson, S J; Crow, R H

Nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions are decreased at the expense of increased energy consumption. As a general rule, a decrease in combustion intensity reduces nitrogen oxide emissions but also lowers equipment combustion efficiency. Present laws stating NOx limits on the basis of grams per horsepower or pounds per million Btu are not designed to encourage conservation of fuel. A more realistic approach would limit NOx emissions on the basis of pounds of NOx per pound of product. Energy required to control NOx emissions from gas turbines, reciprocating engines, process heaters and boilers is often viewed as efficiency loss due to less than optimum combustion. However, efficiency loss represents only a portion of total differential energy cost. Considerable energy must be used to manufacture auxiliary materials and equipment which are often needed to reduce NOx emissions. In general, any combustion device becomes more efficient at the expense of increased NOx production. High temperatures that encourage NOx formation are also conducive to higher heat transfer efficiencies. (auth, Introduction)

• Research Organization: Fluor Engineers and Constructors, Inc., Anaheim, CA
• OSTI ID: 7274340
• Journal Information: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States), Journal Name: Hydrocarbon Process.; (United States) Vol. 55:5; ISSN HYPRA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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291000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
298000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Consumption & Utilization
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303 -- Energy Conservation
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500200 -- Environment
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54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR QUALITY
BOILERS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
CONTROL
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENGINES
EQUIPMENT
FURNACES
GAS TURBINES
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY