Cleaning The Air

Johnson Matthey said it is working with IMG Midstream, a Pennsylvania, USA, owner and operator of a series of small scale power plants fueled by Marcellus Shale gas, to reduce NO_x, CO, VOCs and formaldehyde emissions from their power-generating engines to meet or exceed federal, and state permit limits.

The emissions reductions are being achieved with advanced pollution control systems from Johnson Matthey, a developer of clean air technologies.

IMG currently owns and operates four 20 MW power plants in Pennsylvania. The plants are strategically deployed near shale gas wells and electrical distribution lines, which shortens energy supply chains and increases the efficiency of each plant, while minimizing greenhouse gas and fugitive emissions.

“Although natural gas is already clean-burning, IMG is committed to environmental stewardship and advanced pollution control technology to reduce engine emissions to meet or even improve upon federal and state limits. Each of IMG’s natural gas engines is equipped with a Johnson Matthey selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that is tailored to achieve high emissions reductions,” said Chris Wissel-Tyson, senior manager, Development & Environmental Services for IMG Midstream.

The emission control systems include a vanadia-titania SCR catalyst to reduce NOx to nitrogen, ammonia slip catalyst (ASC) to convert excess ammonia to nitrogen, minimizing ammonia slip, and a precious metal oxidation catalyst to reduce CO, VOC and formaldehyde to ultra-low levels. A robust urea injection strategy accommodates fluctuations in NO_x emissions from each engine.

“After nearly two years of operation, the emission control systems continue to keep emissions below IMG’s stringent permit limits for NOx, CO, VOCs and formaldehyde,” Wissel-Tyson said.

“Treating emissions from stationary sources can be challenging because every site has different requirements, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Rita Aiello, Catalyst Development Scientist at Johnson Matthey. “But scientists and engineers at Johnson Matthey work directly with customers to create the best emission control solutions for their unique applications. And we continue to provide technical support to ensure that the customer remains in compliance with all clean air regulations over the lifetime of our product.”