Markets- power generation The power generation sector accounts for a very significant proportion of industrial engine sales but there are several other factors which make exhaust emission control in this market important. The principle of these are: Size of engines used After the marine industry, the biggest internal combustion engines currently made tend to be used in power generation. The emissions of one large engine can be equivalent to a dozen trucks and buses. Duty cycle Many generators run virtually non-stop. When this factor is combined with the possible size of the engine, absolute emission levels over say, a one-year period can be very considerable. For example, a typical 550kW diesel engine running non-stop could produce over 23 tonnes of carbon monoxide and nearly 4 tonnes of diesel particulate matter in a year.

Sensitive locations
Generators are used in diverse locations. Sometimes they are located far from human habitation where emissions may not be much of a concern, whilst others are used to provide standby power to office blocks, hospitals and supermarkets in city centres. Those in the latter category will often require environmental assessments to be carried out before regulatory approval is granted.

The power generation sector uses a very broad range of engines in terms of both fuel type and size. Emissions engineers may have to deal with diesel engines from 50 to 3000 kW, or spark-ignition engines running on natural gas or even methane from a landfill site. The space constraints relating to the exhaust gas aftertreatment system may be less pressing than in the case of mobile machinery, but great care must be given to ensuring long-term reliability and maintaining maximum engine efficiency.

Most engines used in power generation are now designed to produce low engine-out Nox levels so exhaust gas aftertreatment for newer engines tends to be focused on the other toxic emissions. The following table gives an indication of what is possible:

For further information about products available from Blackthorn, please click on the links below:

Catalytic converters - spark-ignition
Catalytic converters - compression-ignition
Diesel particle filters

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