Environmental assessment of stationary source Nox control technologies. Final report Jun 76-Sep 79

The report summarizes results of a 3-year evaluation of combustion modification controls for emissions of NOx and other pollutants from stationary combustion sources. Results include field tests of gaseous, liquid, and solid effluents from seven stationary sources; estimates of environmental effects of using combustion modification control; evaluation of NOx control reduction effectiveness, capital and operating costs, and operational impact for several levels of control; projection of control technology needs to the year 2000 for several scenarios of energy growth and environmental regulations; and inventories of nationwide stationary source emissions for major pollutants and emission projections to the year 2000. Three utility boilers, two industrial boilers, a gas turbine, and a low-emission residential heating system were tested. The utility boiler tests on two coal-fired systems and one oil-fired boiler, showed NOx emission level reductions of 30-43% using various combustion modification techniques; however, the same tests showed that other emissions were essentially unchanged. Similarly, tests on the other types of equipment showed that modifications to reduce NOx left emissions of other species unchanged or lower. In some cases, where emissions were increased, the environmental effect was counter-balanced by the beneficial effects of NO reduction.