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Show INTRODUCTION Industrial steam generators and users are facing increased challenges in meeting NOx emissions compliance solely with burner equipment. As industry expands and adds new capacity, steam demands increase requiring the purchase of new boiler equipment. Such new installations are required to meet the stricter emissions standards called Best Achievable Control Technology (BACT). The South Coast Air Quality District has implemented a NOx emissions permit level for most new industrial sources of 9 ppm, corrected to 30/0 O2. Burner manufacturers are forced into using immense amounts of flue gas recirculation on highly staged combustion to meet the 9 ppm challenge. The quantities of wazzu flue gas recirculation required to meet 9 ppm NOx raises questions about flame stability, operational performance, and safety. Compounding matters, it is inevitable that NOx emissions limits will continue to ratchet down to lower levels in the near future. There is a great need for an improved ultra low NOx burner technology for industrial combustion. Industrial burner manufacturers need an improved ultra low NOx (less than 5 ppm) burner technology to (1) provide the emissions margin required be successful offering a 9 ppm product, and (2) to be future regulatory ready (FR2) to meet new stricter NOx emissions requirements. The successful industrial user wanting to expand their operations are faced with meeting the strictest emissions regulations possible, or moving capacity outside of the air quality region or country. The cost differential between conventional burner technology with post combustion emissions clean up and ultra low NOx burner technology is quite severe increasing the need for improved industrial burner technology. Program Objectives: The following is a list of the specific burner performance targets for the current research program. • less than 5 ppm NOx emissions (@ 3% O2, dry) for ambient combustion air • less than 9 ppm NOx emissions (@ 3% 02, dry) for up to 600°F preheated combustion air • less than 30 ppm CO emissions (@ 30/0 O2, dry) • low hydrocarbon emissions • low VOC / air toxics emissions In addition to meeting these burner emissions performance targets, the resulting burner must have several key features allowing it to be a commercially viable design. The burner must perform satisfactorily over a minimum of 8: 1 tum-down range. The burner must be dual fuel capable. It must be a retro-fittable design so it can be applied to current boiler designs. The burner must not degrade safety or reliability for the industrial user. |