When it comes to converting a gas generator to run on alternative fuel, there are a few things to consider. Among those, it is important to know how much carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions your gas generator is producing. These two gases are dangerous to human health, and there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the amount of harmful emissions.
Carbon monoxide emissions
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that can be produced by a number of different sources. Some natural sources include volcanoes and wildfires, and many human-made sources include vehicles, furnaces, wood stoves and generators.
In the United States, CO poisoning deaths have been recorded in 61 incidents and 61 cases in the period from 1999 to 2012. The most common sources of CO exposure are portable gasoline-powered generators, non-electric heaters, and improperly installed space heaters.
In January 2017, a portable generator caused carbon monoxide poisoning to claim the life of a young couple in Battle Creek, Michigan. Two other events, one in Morgan Park, Illinois, and the other in Baltimore, Maryland, were also related to portable generators.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, unintentional CO exposures occur at an average rate of 400 people per year. In Minnesota alone, 14 people die from the exposure every year.
Nitrogen oxide emissions
Nitrogen dioxide is a common air pollutant that is produced when fuels are burned at high temperatures. The gas is a part of the nitrogen oxide family, which also includes ozone. These gases have been shown to affect lungs and other health effects.
NOx emissions can be reduced by changing processes or installing air pollution control equipment. In addition to cars and trucks, industrial sources of NOx include heavy construction equipment, power plants, and industrial boilers.
Outdoor levels of nitrogen dioxide are higher near heavily traveled roadways and in areas with a lot of traffic. Indoor nitrogen dioxide levels can also be higher than outdoor levels.
One study found that homes with gas stoves and other types of unvented gas cookers had higher nitrogen dioxide concentrations than homes without them. However, a separate Canadian study found that the presence of wood-burning appliances was not associated with elevated nitrogen dioxide concentrations.
There is little evidence of an association between high nitrogen dioxide levels and asthma symptoms. Rather, the association appears to be more pronounced in children who are not mite-sensitized.
Demineralized water
Demineralized water is a product required for several oil and gas applications. It is also used in electronics and in cosmetics. The electric power generation industry is heavily reliant on demineralized water.
When designing a system for producing demin water, it is important to ensure that it will meet the expected pattern of operation. This should be determined based on criteria that describe the anticipated behavior of the system. For example, it should be designed on a basis that describes the anticipated water quality and conductivity that it will produce.
Demineralization is a process that removes dissolved minerals and salts from a water supply. These minerals can interfere with certain important functions. However, the process has many benefits.
In addition to removing dissolved minerals, the process can remove organic contaminants. The process is typically part of a larger water treatment train.
Demineralization plants use a combination of anion exchange units and cation exchange units. Typically, these units are regenerated with sulphuric acid.
Retrofitting a gas generator
In the context of decarbonisation, CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are an important consideration. One way to reduce these emissions is by retrofitting a gas generator to capture the CO2. However, there are a number of challenges associated with such technology. These include technical and economic aspects. Fortunately, there are some solutions to these problems.
One of the more promising methods for integrating carbon capture into an existing coal plant is the use of a gas turbine windbox carbon capture retrofit. The retrofit works by combining the gas turbine exhaust with the flue gas from the coal boiler. This enables sequential combustion of the exhaust and post-combustion capture of the carbon. As a result, the cost of a carbon capture retrofit will be lower than the cost of a conventional open-cycle system.
There are several advantages to using a gas generator rather than a diesel one. For one thing, the cost of the generator is much cheaper. A diesel generator of similar capacity costs anywhere from Rs 7-8 lakh.
