Nitrogen Oxides Control Selection for a Utility Combined Cycle Power Plant

Recently, the combined cycle gas turbine has become a leading candidate among generating alternatives. Under the Clean Air Act, all utility-scale gas turbines must undergo air quality permitting before construction. Owners of these turbines must satisfy the requirements of either the federal Non-attainment program or the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program, depending on the air quality of the region. Both programs require that an analysis of applicable pollutant controls be included in the permit application. This paper presents a determination of the best available control technology for nitrogen oxide emissions from two proposed combined cycle gas turbines. Each possesses a 210 MW generating capability: 145 MW are produced by a GE MS-7001F gas turbine and 65 additional megawatts by a heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine. Detailed analyses of economic, environmental, and energy impacts are given for two technologies: selective catalytic reduction and steam injection. The study concludes that steam injection to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s New Source Performance Standards provides the most effective means of control for nitrogen oxides. Other means of nitrogen oxides control are eliminated on the basis of technical feasibility.