SBIR Phase I: Reduced Emissions from Combustion Processes

This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project addresses the reduction of NOx emissions from coal-fired power plants. The concept uses existing burner technology plus nitrogen enriched air (NEA) based on membrane technology to reduce NOx emissions. Modeling work projects 300-fold NOx emissions reductive using this approach. Preliminary estimates suggest that this approach will be less expensive than existing selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. The program focuses on coal fired electrical power facilities since they are most demanding due to high flame temperature and high contamination level. Phase I will demonstrate process feasibility on small furnace system and will identify leading low cost NEA candidate (membrane or pipeline nitrogen). The results will be compared to existing SCR NOx cleanup technologies. If successful this technology offers major cost effective routes to reduction of NOx in coal-fired power plants and other facilities.