Research Needs Relating to Emissions from Industrial Burners

摘要

The R&D recommendations of this study result from a review of relevant, existing and anticipated federal and state environmental regulations and policies and from an assessment of the impact they may have on industrial gas-fired burners. Environmental considerations for natural gas combustion are almost entirely restricted to oxides of nitrogen. Federal regulations for NOx emissions from industrial gas-fired boilers require only minimal NOx reduction on some new boilers. More limiting regulations could arise from state PSD and nonattainment permit requirements, which could be significantly changed when the Clean Air Act is reviewed in 1981. California is the only state to enact stringent requirements thus far. Existing and planned California NOx regulations on utility and industrial boilers, refinery process heaters, cement kilns, and glass melting furnaces may require the most advanced control techniques. Development and field demonstrations of both conventional and catalytic low-NOx burners for these applications are of the highest priority for addressing NOx emission regulations in California and best prepare the industrial gas user for future regulations in other states or at the national level. R&D activities related to selective catalytic reduction, acid rain, and NO2 health effects are also recommended.