Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Gas Turbine Engine Performance Monitor for Reduced Emissions
EPA Contract Number: 68D00209Title: Gas Turbine Engine Performance Monitor for Reduced Emissions
Investigators: Markham, James R.
Small Business: Advanced Fuel Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 2000 through September 1, 2002
Project Amount: $224,946
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (2000) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , SBIR - Monitoring , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The research carried out in this project resulted in a prototype sensor for installation in a gas turbine engine test cell. Productive design meetings took place between AFI and representatives of the turbine engine manufacturing company to result in a sensor system design that was suitable for installation in a particular test cell used for electric power-generating gas turbine engines. Preliminary testing of the core spectrometer component when placed in the test cell during engine operation benefited the final design plan for the prototype. The prototype sensor system was fabricated and tested in the laboratory. Final preparation before installation included modifications to support structures as a result of hardware changes in the test cell that were not within control of AFI. However, in an untimely event for this project, the engine company closed down a number of commercial engine test cells, including the cell targeted for prototype installation.
AFI worked diligently to find an alternative demonstration location. During Phase II, the prototype sensor ultimately was installed for an 8-month period at a natural gas-fired utility boiler that utilized a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for the abatement of NOx. The sensor provided continuous data at 2-minute intervals when measuring a line-of-sight through the approximately 9.5 meter (31 feet) diameter exhaust duct downstream of the SCR system. Technical success was achieved for the real-time, in situ monitoring of NH3 slip and the major combustion products, including NO, NO2, CO, CO2, and H2O. During this industrial demonstration, the sensor was shown to be technically feasible for monitoring and control of NH3 slip, NOx abatement, and monitoring of combustion exhaust species. The sensor was proven in a significant industrial environment.
Conclusions:
The boiler installation was applicable to the commercial goals of this project, and will be advantageous to making the transition to Phase III. Monitoring NH3 by extractive methods is problematic due to loss of this material on the walls of sample transfer lines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an initiative in place to identify improved capabilities for NH3 monitoring, and the cost-share partner that helped to sponsor the Phase II demonstration has requested a follow-on proposal to further develop the sensor system for a permanent installation on an industrial combustion exhaust stack. The generation of the "early Phase III" follow-on plan allowed for a detailed estimate of the total sensor-hardware components required for a permanent installation. Both technical and economic feasibility have been demonstrated by this Phase II research project.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 1 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
gas turbine engine, oxides, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, water vapor, soot, smoke, ammonia, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FT-IR, combustion, abatement, real-time in situ combustion exhaust monitor, slip monitor, stack monitor, small business, SBIR., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Waste, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Chemical Engineering, particulate matter, Bioavailability, Environmental Chemistry, air toxics, Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Environmental Engineering, Incineration/Combustion, particulates, criteria air pollutants, combustion devices, particulate, hydrocarbon, combustion sources, in situ sensor, air pollution, in situ measurement, combustion control, exhaustSBIR Phase I:
Gas Turbine Engine Performance Monitor for Reduced Emissions | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.