Catalyst Modification Cuts Down Plant Emissions by 90%

A New York chemical plant has been recognized for cutting down its nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 90 percent per year. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation recognized Chemtrade Solutions LLC on July 5 for their work on improving local air quality at their Syracuse, N.Y. sodium nitrite factory.

Sodium nitrite is used in dyes, pharmaceuticals, and as a food additive that can prevent botulism. Chemtrade is the only manufacturer in North America that specifically produces sodium nitrite.

The emissions improvement came about due to the use of a Dürr Systems, Inc. selective catalytic reduction system (SCR). This process converts NOx into nitrogen and water vapor, which are released into the atmosphere.

Because sodium ion is a SCR ‘poison,’ capable of corroding the catalysts used in the SCR process and therefore requiring them to be replaced more often than otherwise, special catalyst bed arrangements needed to be used. Dürr Systems designed catalyst beds for this particular SCR application which are less vulnerable to degradation and which can be easily replaced.

A heat exchanger also increases the energy efficiency of the system. The SCR incorporating Dürr’s energy-efficiency measures, which goes by the brand name Ecopure, has been able to reduce Chemtrade’s NOx emissions by 90 percent, or 500 tons, per year.

Control solutions and an operator interface were also used in order to let Chemtrail employees manually control and monitor NOx.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation made the announcement on April 22 as part of Earth Week; Dürr Systems publicized it several months later, in July. The project was also undertaken in compliance with federal ambient air quality standards.

Nitrogen oxide emissions contribute to acid rain and smog.

Chemtrade’s Syracuse facility employs 32 people.