Initial test results of the limestone injection multistage burner (LIMB) demonstration project

The strategy for reducing acid rain has yet to be adopted by Congress; the debate centers on reduction of current SO{sub 2} emissions by 5 to 12 million tons per year and on reduction of NO{sub x} as an SO{sub 2} offset or by fixed amount nationally. The choice of control techniques for limiting SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} emissions from utility boilers will most likely include a mix of technologies to achieve the desired reduction at minimum cost. Of the existing commercial control options, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is costly, and switching to a lower sulfur content fuel may have severe economic and logistic impacts. Only 10 percent of the boilers east of the Mississippi River, where the impact of acid rain is felt most, are subject to New Source Performance Standards. Most of these are older units having a useful life of 10 to 30 years. An effective control technology for these boilers would produce a significant reduction of national SO{sub 2} and NO{sub x} emissions.