Reliable NOx Control for the Power Generation Sector
Market Overview
Power generation remains one of the largest contributors to stationary source NOx emissions in the United States. Gas turbines, reciprocating engines, steam boilers, and combined heat and power (CHP) systems are all subject to some of the most stringent air quality regulations in any industrial sector.
The sector spans a wide range of facility types — from large combined-cycle plants and merchant peakers to industrial cogeneration systems, backup power installations, and distributed generation assets.
The NOx Challenge
Gas turbines and reciprocating engines used in power generation produce NOx through thermal and fuel-bound mechanisms. While dry low-NOx (DLN) combustion systems have reduced baseline NOx from modern turbines, post-combustion control via SCR remains necessary to meet the single-digit NOx limits now required in many jurisdictions — commonly 2 to 5 ppmvd at 15% O2. For peaking units and simple-cycle assets, SCR system design must account for cold-start behavior, rapid load cycling, and minimum catalyst operating temperature windows.
Target Equipment
- Simple cycle gas turbines (aeroderivative and frame-type)
- Combined cycle gas turbines (CCGT) with HRSG integration
- Industrial cogeneration and CHP systems
- Reciprocating engine generator sets (natural gas, diesel, dual-fuel)
- Utility and industrial steam boilers
- Biomass and waste-to-energy boilers
- Backup and standby diesel generator sets
Regulatory Landscape
| Regulation / Program | Relevance to NOx Control |
|---|---|
| EPA NSPS KKKK | Emission standards for new stationary combustion turbines — NOx limits vary by turbine output and heat input |
| EPA NSPS JJJJ | Standards for stationary spark-ignition reciprocating engines used in power generation |
| RACT / BACT / LAER | Required for major sources in nonattainment areas or for new/modified sources undergoing NSR or PSD review |
| SCAQMD Rule 1135 / RECLAIM | South Coast Air Quality Management District rules impose some of the strictest NOx limits in the nation for power generation |
| Good Neighbor / NOx SIP Call | EPA’s interstate transport provisions affect NOx control requirements for power generators in multiple states |
How EcoCAT Systems Help
EcoCAT Systems brings comprehensive in-house capability for SCR system design in power generation applications. Our engineers perform detailed thermal and flow modeling to ensure proper AIG distribution, catalyst sizing, and reagent delivery — for both new greenfield turbine installations and retrofits to existing generating assets.
For combined cycle applications, EcoCAT also offers HRSG engineering and supply as part of an integrated solution, simplifying project execution and accountability.
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