CSAPR Compliance:
Low-Sulfur Coal, Ash Resistivity,
and SO₃ Conditioning

On top of worries about Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) regulatory uncertainty, many coal-fired power plants are now scrambling to comply with the new Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, set to go into effect next year. CSAPR requires coal-fired units in the Eastern U.S. to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), which contribute to PM2.5 (fine particle) and ozone air pollution.

EPA suggests that plants can achieve CSAPR compliance by increasing generation from cleaner units, installing new air pollution control equipment like scrubbers, or switching to low sulfur coal. For many plants, switching fuels is the only viable option; "cleaner" units may not exist, and there probably isn't time or money to add scrubbers before CSAPR kicks in.

For units relying on electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) to capture particulates, switching fuels creates a new problem: high ash resistivity and reduced collection efficiency. Often, the most cost-effective option for lowering ash resistivity is flue gas conditioning using SO₃ injection.

We offer ash resistivity lab testing and analysis, flow optimization services, and other tools to help you determine if process changes made to comply with CSAPR will create ESP performance challenges. If that's the case, we can also help you discover the lowest-cost method of maintaining optimum ESP collection efficiency. Click below, call (440-942-8990) or e-mail (solutions@neundorfer.com) to learn more.