Coal

Wisconsin Public Service Proposes Installation of New Multi-Pollutant Control Technology

Integrys Energy Group subsidiary Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) on Monday filed for a Certificate of Authority (CA) from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to install Regenerative Activated Coke Technology (ReACT) at its 321-MW Weston 3 plant.

ReACT is an integrated multi-pollutant control technology that removes sulfur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury from coal-fired plants by adsorption with activated coke to attain emission levels found at the best controlled coal-fired plants. It has been used successfully in Japan for many years and successfully demonstrated in the U.S. over a five-month period of five months as part of an Electric Power Research Institute project hosted by Sierra Pacific Power at its North Valmy Station. WPS will be the technology’s first commercial application in the U.S.

Following PSCW approval, the WPS’ project will take more nearly four years to complete. WPS said it expects that, based on historical data, the estimated $250 million project will reduce plant SO2 emissions by more than 90%, mercury by 90% or more, and NOx by more than 20%.

"We’ve decided to upgrade Weston 3 (W3) to ensure its viability as an electric generator in a climate of future uncertainty regarding environmental regulations," said Howard Giesler, Weston General Manager. "Adding this new, but proven, technology will position the unit to be in compliance with future EPA regulations, while enabling the production of safe, clean, reliable and economical electricity."

According to a WPS spokesperson, this new technology simultaneously controls multiple pollutants using only a fraction of the water that conventional wet scrubbers demand, while producing a saleable sulfuric acid by-product commonly used in the fertilizer, paper-making, and many other industries.

WPS has partnered with Hamon Research-Cottrell (HRC), the firm that holds the license for ReACT technology. HRC will also provide engineering, erection, and other services for the project.

The ReACT installation will be the first commercial application of this technology in the U.S., although it has been used successfully in Japan for many years and has been successfully demonstrated in the U.S. over a period of five months as part of an Electric Power Research Institute project hosted by Sierra Pacific Power at its North Valmy Station.

Sources: POWERnews, WPS

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