Big boilers face further emissions regulation if US IB MACT rule is confirmed18 November 2010

Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new emissions rule for industrial, commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters.

Called the Industrial Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (IB MACT) rule, the draft version should be finalised by 16 December, with compliance likely to be required late in 2013.

Here in the UK, the general feeling is that 'where America sneezes, Europe catches a cold", so plant engineers need to be aware'.

IB MACT applies to all boilers deemed to be major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) – meaning they produce more than 10 tons per year of one, or 25 tons of all HAPs.

They impose stringent emissions standards for 11 subcategories of boilers, based on fuel and process type – with limits on mercury, hydrogen chloride, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and dioxins/furans (D/F).

US market research firm, the Mcilvaine Company advises that, if the regulations pass all the hurdles, more than 13,500 existing US fossil fuel-fired and biomass-fired boilers will be affected.

"New sources will be required to comply with even more stringent emission requirements, because the CAA requires new HAP sources to match the emission levels of the single best performing source in the country," says a spokesperson.

He also points to the "very large burden [imposed] on the operation of most plants" and suggests that "the proposed standards for existing liquid-fired boilers may not even be technically achievable".

Mcilvaine is advising US facilities that existing facilities "may comply with the limits, with any combination of controls, but most facilities will likely need to install baghouses, carbon injection systems, scrubbers, oxidation catalysts and new burners".

It also suggests that control technologies needed will depend on factors including "the required control efficiency, existing control equipment and its performance, flue gas conditions, required emission limits, wastewater issues and costs".

There are already mutterings about tightened standards for engines and not long ago, there was talk in the UK of particulate matter being regulated, even for gas. This might be the first warning for new regulations to come.

Brian Tinham

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