THE LIGHTWISE^TM MEASURES AMMONIA

 AT A COAL-BURNING POWER PLANT

LTG Lasertech Group Inc. obtained permission from a major North American utility to use one of its 500 Mega-Watt, coal-burning power generation facilities, as a Beta Site for the measurement of ammonia. While ammonia plays a major role in the reduction of pollutants emanating from coal combustion, its use may lead to excessive release of ammonia into the atmosphere. Thus, the aim of this project was to measure the level of ammonia in the flue in the ducts as close as possible to the exhaust stack.

In December of 2004 the Lightwise^TM coupled to our proprietary probe monitored the effluent of one of the coal burning furnaces in the facility. The Lightwise^TM  tracked the ammonia cycle as operating conditions changed. Absorption shifts and broadening features showed that secondary chemical reactions of operational and environmental interest were taking place. Reactions such as Water-ammonia leaching as well as steps in the sulfuric acid cycle were evident.