Power Stations

ECOTECH AUSTRALIA

For customers in Australia or NZ visit:

www.ecotech.com.au

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Overview

The construction of coal and natural gas power stations is continuing at a steady rate along with older power stations being retrofitted with more effective flue gas cleaning systems. Both the community and environmental protection authorities are paying closer attention to both emission and ambient concentrations around power stations.

Global warming concerns and impending emission trading legislation in many parts of the world are also calling for more effective means of determining greenhouse emissions from coal and gas fired power stations.

Ecotech recognizes the high public and political scrutiny that air quality and emissions receives especially in regard to:

Tightening of the air sheds around many power stations
The impending carbon trading scheme that will be implemented during the life of these stations
The cost savings that need to be found by power companies to remain profitable

It is for these reasons that the following factors are critical.

Critical factors

Defensible data collected in accordance with local regulatory standards and procedures
Maximum data capture thus requiring procedures offered to be highly reliable, proven and traceable
A partner that is fully responsible for the entire project at all sites and able to provide maintenance & calibration services, data processing and reporting, and compliance monitoring
A partner that is highly experienced with the demands of both emissions and ambient monitoring and understands its implications
A partner committed to quality, occupational health & safety and sustainability who can offer a solution that meets corporate needs of safety, security of supply and quality

Coal

Coal fired power plants emit a variety of emissions most notably Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). The burning process of coal releases CO₂ as a major by product, along with other compounds due to impurities within the coal. These pollutants include: NO_X, SO_X, CO, CO₂, Hg and particulates (TSP, PM₁₀, PM_2.5).

Oil fired

Oil fired power plants emit a variety of emissions most notably Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Carbon monoxide (CO). The burning process of petroleum (oil) releases CO₂ and CO as the major by products, along with other compounds due to impurities within the oil (NO_X and SO₂). Monitoring of O₂ levels within the plant are also used to optimise combustion efficiency.

Gas Turbine

Gas turbine power plants have three main emissions Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) and Oxides of Nitrogen (NO_X). The burning process of gas produces CO and CO₂ as major by products, along with NO_X. The use of catalysts (ammonia) reduce the concentration of NO_X but can also become an emission source that needs to be monitored.

Nuclear

Nuclear power plants, though not have direct gaseous emissions, may be required to undergo environmental monitoring as a precaution for any radioactive leaks that may occur. Monitoring of ambient particulates around nuclear reactors is considered good practise for the early detection of a radioactive leak.

Ecotech supply a specially designed radioactive particulate monitoring: The MegaVol 3000

Products of Interest

Products and systems of interest include:

Ambient Air Quality Systems
Ambient air quality is of concern due to emissions of NOx, SO₂, CO and particulates. Regulatory authorities usually insist that these parameters are continuously measured.
Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems
Ecotech is able to offer a complete monitoring solution for emissions monitoring to meet all compliance requirements. Ecotech is also able to offer CO₂ monitoring systems that can be used to assist you in meeting legislative requirements for carbon trading schemes.
Particulate Samplers
Suitable for the monitoring of TSP, PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 in ambient air
Particulate Monitors
Suitable for the continuous monitoring of PM around open cut coal mines.
Meteorological Systems
Suitable for monitoring of meteorological conditions in order to determine direction of air emissions