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Benefits / Cost Savings

Benefits of SCR-Tech ReGen™ Process

Guarantees:
  • Full restoration of original catalytic activity (K/Kn 0.9 after regeneration; if desired K/Kn 1)
  • Same deactivation rate as new catalyst in the same SCR installation
  • Low SO2 oxidation (SO2/SO3 conversion no higher than new catalyst guarantee)
  • Removal of 99% of physical restrictions (fly ash plugging, large particle ash, blinding layers)
  • No physical damage to the catalyst
  • No loss of structural integrity
Significant cost savings:
  • Avoids investment cost of new catalyst
  • Avoids disposal cost of spent catalyst
  • Avoids environmental costs / liabilities associated with land filling spent catalyst
  • Potential for enhanced activity offers additional economic upside

Cost Savings

Catalyst regeneration could result in savings of millions of dollars annually for the average coal-fired power generating facility, and will assure a reliable supply of catalyst is available in the market. SCR-Tech offers catalyst regeneration for significantly less cost than purchasing new catalyst.

Sample Cost Savings of Regeneration vs. Replacement
 

New

Regenerated

Removal from SCR System Comparable Comparable
Transport Cost Comparable Comparable
Purchase Price (per Layer) $780,000 - $867,000 $542,000
Shipping Comparable Comparable
Installation Comparable Comparable
Disposal Cost $100,000 - $500,000 $0
Net Savings from Regeneration
$338,000 - $825,000 (per Layer)

Table Assumptions:
– Typical 500 MW plant with 650 m3 of catalyst
– 450 modules arranged in layers of 150 modules each

Elimination / Reduction of Disposal Issues

Catalyst regeneration not only provides SCR operators a significantly lower cost alternative to catalyst replacement, it also eliminates the costs and potential environmental liabilities associated with disposing of deactivated catalyst, which must be shipped to a disposal site and may be considered hazardous waste. The added cost of placing spent catalyst in a landfill or disposal site can be significant. Whether the catalyst can be deposited in a normal landfill or must be treated as hazardous waste depends on the state and/or county where the landfill is located, the type of catalyst, the type of coals the power plant has fired, and the poisons present on the catalyst. Experience shows that the cost of disposal can vary from $50 per ton to more than $2,000 per ton. For just one layer of catalyst used in a 500 MW unit, these disposal costs can amount to between $100,000 and $500,000, depending upon state regulations. By extending the useful life of spent catalyst, regeneration eliminates the need for catalyst disposal. If some catalyst is too damaged to be reused and must be disposed of, SCR-Tech can ultrasonically clean the catalyst to remove all poisons prior to disposal to avoid the potentially high costs of hazardous waste disposal.

Enhanced Activity

Experience has shown the life and deactivation rate to be similar when both new and regenerated catalyst starts out with equal activity levels. However, because new activity (beyond its original) can be achieved through regeneration, both its life and NOx reduction potential can be greater.

Reduced SO2 Conversion

The use of regenerated catalyst has also been demonstrated to significantly lower SO2 oxidation rates. SO2 oxidation rates in regenerated catalyst have been measured as low as 0.1 percent, which is comparable to the conversion rates achieved only through the use of more costly, ultra-low conversion catalyst. Importantly, regenerated catalyst has been demonstrated to achieve significant reductions in SO2 conversion while still maintaining original catalytic activity levels and NOx reduction performance, whereas the use of ultra-low conversion catalyst has been reported to be associated with a loss in catalytic activity.

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