Services

SCR Catalyst Testing

SCR Catalyst Testing in progressSCR catalyst testing is a required first step in devising an effective catalyst management strategy. Pilot testing and audits of SCR catalyst activity though laboratory analysis of catalyst samples can provide insight into methods for extending catalyst life.

Our in-house laboratories perform SCR catalyst testing and analysis to determine catalyst deactivation rates and provide corrective measures for system optimization.

 

How CORMETECH Measures SCR Catalytic Activity And Potential

Test

 

Analysis objective

 

SCR Catalyst Activity TestDetermine the catalyst activity under specific plant or standard conditions through the use of representative-size catalyst samples. Metrics include the catalyst SO2/SO3 conversion rate, pressure drop, initial activity (K0) and actual activity (K).
Physical Properties TestEvaluate physical properties of the catalyst such as its surface area (BET - Brunauer-Emmett-Teller Test) and porosity (or pore volume).
Chemical Composition TestChemical Composition Test: Evaluate the impact of coal and ash properties on the catalyst and its performance by measuring the catalyst’s chemical composition using quantitative and Semi-quantitative X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy analysis:

  • The XRF-Quantitative analysis is primarily used for manufacturing control and finished product quality assurance. This analysis ensures that manufacturing specifications of the elemental composition for the catalytic metals are met.  Carefully-prepared sets of analytical standards, composed of the metals in the actual matrix to be analyzed, are used to set the calibration for these measurements.
  • XRF-Semi-quantitative analysis measures approximately 40 other elements to detect changes in surface and bulk chemical composition as the catalyst is exposed to flue gas.

Our testing program includes collection and compilation of field performance data, such as NOx levels, removal efficiency, ammonia-in-ash levels, operational data, and the like. CORMETECH also takes samples of SCR catalyst removed from the field and tests them in its laboratory to assess the catalytic potential against initial design requirements.  These tests are done at either standard conditions (single-layer; MR=1), or at actual field conditions (multi-layer; field MR), and often at both conditions to ensure accurate evaluation of the test results. These tests, along with available fuel impact tests (FIELD GUIDE™), provide users current data to assess SCR catalyst system performance. This approach gives users added operational flexibility by analyzing a wide range of catalyst management "what-if" scenarios.

CORMETECH's testing equipment is state-of-the-art and methods are fully conforming to the SCR industry's best practices and VGB guidelines.