Air Pollution Control for Coal-Fired Power Plants

Abstract

Highlights

• Provides an overview of the coal-based power industry, including history, key reglations, types and characteristics of plant emissions and types of emission control technologies
• Analyzes trends and developments of the changing U.S. market for air pollution control technologies for coal-fired power plants
• Analyzes the industry structure and how it might change in the future
• Quantifies the current market and provides market forecasts for each major technology type
• Profiles major companies in the industry

SCOPE OF REPORT

The report provides an analysis of the market for air pollution control technologies for both utility and non-utility coal-fired power plants. It includes technologies designed for retrofitting existing plants to meet new standards, as well as technologies for repowering existing facilities and for new plant construction. The report characterizes the types of air emissions associated with coal-based power systems and the key regulations that drive technology requirements. It evaluates the current R&D status and effectiveness of control technologies for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and so-called hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), or “air toxics,” with a primary emphasis at this time on mercury.

Since CO2 is not a toxic substance in the chemical and environmental control sense, it is not in the scope of this study even though there are current measures being taken to call it a pollutant for its greenhouse gas properties. We do discuss some of the current discussions regarding CO2 sequestration, but do not attempt to forecast such markets since they do not yet exist at this time.

The market analysis section in this report provides a detailed analysis and estimates of the markets in base year 2008 and 5-year market forecasts for 2013 for each major technology. Because of the extreme uncertainties in these times, both economic and political, we use a simple scenario analysis to estimate and forecast these markets. Any market estimates these days are speculative, and ours are no exception.

This report consists of eight narrative sections, of which this is the first, plus an appendix with a glossary of important terms.

• The Summary is next and encapsulates our findings and conclusions, including a summary market table. It is the place where busy executives can find the major findings of the study in summary format.
• Next is an Overview to the coal-based power industry. We start with an overview to coal, electricity generation, and industrial processes used in the industry. We then discuss the primary air pollutants from coal-based power generation.
• The section that follows is devoted to air pollution control technologies for coal-fired power plants. We describe and discuss the major pollutants and the means for their control, ending with a review of recent patent activity.
• Our market analysis section follows, with estimates and forecasts for methods to control the four primary types of air pollution from coal-based power plants: SO2, NOx, PM, and hazardous air toxics (for this, the focus today is on mercury control). Our base estimate year is 2008, and we forecast to 2013. As noted, our market analyses and forecasts are in the form of a simple scenario analysis.
• The next section is devoted to industry structures and competitive analysis, with a focus on the electric power generation and air pollution control industries.
• We follow with a section devoted to government, regulatory, and public issues. The environment is a very politically sensitive issue, and governments, ranging from the federal congress and agencies down to local pollution control districts are all working on this issue. We review current and pending legislation, the status of deregulation, note some current regulatory issues, and end with some current public perceptions and issues.
• Our final narrative section is devoted to company profiles of several of the most significant companies in the air pollution control industry.
• We end with an appendix, a glossary of important terms and acronyms that are important to this industry.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Both primary and secondary research methods were used in preparing this market research report. Extensive searches were made of the literature and the Internet, including many of the leading trade publications, and well as technical compendia, government publications, and information from trade and other associations. Much product and market information was obtained from the principals involved in the industry. The information for our company profiles was obtained primarily from the companies themselves, especially the larger publicly owned firms. Other sources included directories, articles, and Internet sites.