Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction — A Cost-Effective NOx Control Option
Product Overview
EcoCAT Systems designs and supplies Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction (SNCR) systems for applications where furnace or exhaust temperatures are favorable for reagent injection without a catalyst, and where moderate NOx reduction levels are sufficient to meet permit requirements.
SNCR is most commonly applied to boilers, industrial furnaces, and certain process heater configurations where the thermal environment supports effective urea or ammonia decomposition without a downstream catalyst bed.
How SNCR Works
SNCR systems inject urea or ammonia directly into the high-temperature combustion gas stream — typically in the range of 1,600°F to 2,100°F — where the reagent reacts with NOx to form nitrogen and water vapor without the need for a catalyst. Proper injection point selection and reagent distribution are critical to achieving the target NOx reduction while minimizing ammonia slip, which is the primary operating constraint of SNCR systems.
SNCR vs. SCR — Technology Selection
SNCR systems offer lower capital cost than SCR and do not require catalyst maintenance or replacement. However, they achieve lower NOx reduction efficiency — typically 25 to 50% versus 80 to 95% for SCR — and are more sensitive to temperature variation and reagent mixing. EcoCAT can assist in evaluating whether SNCR, SCR, or a combined SNCR and SCR hybrid approach is the most appropriate solution for a given application and permit requirement, with the goal of identifying the most cost-effective path to compliance.
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