AAAR 33rd Annual Conference
October 20 - October 24, 2014
Rosen Shingle Creek
Orlando, Florida, USA
Abstract View
Development of New PM Test Protocol and Characterization of PM Formation and Growth from Natural Gas Turbines
NICHOLAS GYSEL, William A. Welch, Chia-Li Chen, J. Wayne Miller, David R. Cocker III, University of California Riverside
Abstract Number: 477 Working Group: Aerosol Sources from Emerging Energy Technologies and Production
Abstract The low levels of PM from natural gas fired turbines present a large challenge for particulate characterization and regulatory control. Current methodology for characterization of PM from stationary sources is limited due to inherent biases. This coupled with inaccuracies, lack of precision and sensitivities to current measurement methods necessitate the need for improved measurement capabilities. This all affects the development of new power plants, as many sites in Southern California are labeled as non-attainment sectors. Ultimately this means that newer power plants must offset the emissions of existing plants to meet the regulated emission requirements. Current protocol methods have limitations due to inherent biases involved with the measurement methodology. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated a revision to the definition of PM2.5 in 40 CFR Parts 51 and 52 to include condensable PM (CPM) when referring to New Source Review (NSR) regulations. EPAs implementation of the Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the measurement of total primary particulate matter. That is the filterable portion of PM (FPM) as well as the condensable fraction of PM (CPM). It is therefore necessary to understand the parameters that affect CPM formation and growth and develop a single test protocol that has the capabilities of measuring total primary PM accurately and precisely as current protocol methodology for PM measurements from stationary sources contain biases.
In this study we have developed a dilution method capable of characterizing the instantaneous effects of dilution parameters such as dilution ratio, residence time, dilution temperature and relative humidity on PM growth and formation. Real-time electronic PM instrumentation was used including a nano scanning mobility particle spectrometer (SMPS) and a long column SMPS downstream of the dilution tunnel. We have used this method and have compared it with current protocol methods on a 65 kW micro-turbine, 14 MW and 50 MW commercial turbines equipped with oxidation catalysts and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment control technologies.