End-of-pipe technologies are measures deployed to decrease or eliminate the emission of substances into the atmosphere that can harm human health or the environment. The term “end-of-pipe solution” describes a pollution control approach that remediates contaminated flows of air just before the effluent can enter the environment.
These technologies were first applied when the Clean Air Act was initiated in the 1960s. In the ensuing decades, they have been continually updated to keep pace with increasingly strict environmental regulations, such as those mandated by the BACT (Best Available Control Technology) standard of the Clean Air Act. BACT requires the producers of airborne emissions to take all practical steps to prevent the release of pollutants, taking into consideration energy consumption, environmental impacts, and economic costs.
NESTEC’s “Smart Solutions for Clean Air” is always less costly than traditional end of-pipe solutions because it prevents and/or minimizes the creation of air contaminants at the source, long before the end-of-the-pipe.
To address the public health and welfare risks posed by certain widespread air pollutants, the Clean Air Act set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and created a goal for every state to achieve compliance with them by 1975. To provide a workable roadmap for reaching this objective, states were also required to develop State Implementation Plans (SIPs) applicable to appropriate industrial sources in the state with detailed proposals for reducing hazardous emissions. The Clean Air Act was amended in 1977 and 1990 to set new deadlines for NAAQS compliance as many areas of the country had failed to meet their goals.
https://gispub.epa.gov/air/trendsreport/2018/documentation/AirTrends_Flyer.pdf
Although the end-of-pipe solution has provided substantial reductions in air emissions, it has not always provided the best, nor the most economical, solution for process air emission compliance.
By contrast, NESTEC’s “Smart Solutions for Clean Air” is always less costly than traditional end of-pipe solutions because it prevents and/or minimizes the creation of air contaminants at the source, long before the end-of-the-pipe. For optimal results, air emission control solutions must be evaluated up front in light of the total process planning and plant equipment layout. A wholistic, top-down approach is always far more reliable, efficient, and economical.
Many businesses continue to struggle to meet air emission regulations with end-of-pipe solutions, needlessly tolerating a chronic risk to immediate economic growth. Trying and failing to achieve a new outcome from the same old process is the definition of insanity! Take a step in a more proactive direction. Resolve air emission problems the smart and cost-effective way, at the source.
NESTEC offers a total, up front evaluation of air emission control solutions for specific processes along with the process planning, which includes:
- Process Exhaust Composition
- Flow
- Temperature
- Moisture
- Particulates
- Nonvolatile Components
- All Variables
- Production Schedule
- Self-sustaining Air Emission Control Operation
- Recirculation and/or Cascading Potential
- Secondary Energy Recovery Options
- Optimal Selection of Air Emission Control Equipment
For example, in the wood industry, NESTEC’s in-depth knowledge, experience, and extensive database allows us to implement approaches that go far beyond the capabilities of typical WESP-RTO (Wet Electrostatic Precipitator and Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer) setups. Our customized designs prevent and/or minimize wood combustion furnace fly ash in the exhaust stream well before it reaches the VOC/HAP (Volatile Organic Compound and Hazardous Air Pollutant) control equipment, resulting in:
- Lower capital costs by eliminating the WESP
- Zero water issues due to the WESP
- No pump maintenance
- No solid disposal costs (centrifuge discharge)
- No water blow needed
- No chloride additive costs and associated corrosion
- No defoaming costs
- RTO and/or RCO arrangements that allow for on-line bake out, eliminating associated production downtime, as well as reducing energy consumption
If you want to markedly improve your bottom line, contact us for a free evaluation of your air emission control and energy conservation opportunities. Don’t do things the same old way expecting new results. Demand “Smart Solutions for Clean Air.”
For additional details from NESTEC’s extensive experience, call or e-mail NESTEC Inc. for a free evaluation of your RTO/RCO.
Office: 610.323.7670
Jim Nester, CEO: jnester@nestecinc.com
Rick Reimlinger, Vice President: rick.reimlinger@nestecinc.com
Rodney L. Pennington, PE, Vice President of Key Accounts: rpennington@nestecinc.com
William Holden, Aftermarket & Services Manager: wholden@nestecinc.com
Leave a Reply