From General Electric (NYSE: GE) comes news of the new PowerTreat range of products, intended to minimize coal losses at power plants through both physical and material handling issues. The announcement was made at the POWER-GEN International 2012 conference, held in Florida.
Oxidation is the biggest problem with coal in power plants. How do you avoid adding too much water while keeping dust emissions in check?
Oxidation, which enhances risks of hot spots, smokers, and spontaneous combustion, and dusting are both addressed by the PowerTreat technologies. Specifically, it tries to keep coal dusting in check while also adding minimal moisture.
From GE’s press release:
“As coal plants face challenges to meet or exceed environmental considerations, GE’s PowerTreat program gives utilities more fuel consumption flexibility and the ability to burn challenging coal. This new line of products improves the quality of coal, while reducing dust and minimizing hazardous conditions such as spontaneous combustion and hot spots,” said John Schumann, general manager, chemical and monitoring solutions—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water.
The portfolio of products involved includes the PowerTreat FD series, AD series, and DA series.
The first group comprises foaming agents, which generate highly expanding foam to keep dust low while adding small amounts of moisture.
The second group of products are anti-oxidants and chemical binders. The last group also contains dust control binders intended for coal that’s destined for short or long-term storage.
General Electric’s Power & Water division is the company’s biggest industrial business, and it is concerned with all aspects of power generation, delivery, storage, and water technologies.
