Stop Your Oxidizer From Burning Profits!!!
Evaluate The Feasibility Of Reducing Your Oxidizer Operating Cost While
Still Maintaining Compliance Status.

It has come to our attention that the oxidizers many of our clients run have great potential as a source of increased profits through cost cutting.  As natural gas prices climb, your compliance costs could double!  How much longer will you be able to afford to run your oxidizer?

At Avogadro, we have conducted field evaluations to demonstrate that lower operating temperatures can achieve destruction efficiencies.  With a complete energy audit you will have a complete picture to identify areas where you can conserve energy, control costs, and stay in compliance.  We can provide a focused 4-Step Oxidizer Optimization Program:

Step 1:  Feasibility Study – Review compliance and operations information for potential savings.

Step 2:  Field Evaluation – Conduct testing to demonstrate VOC destruction at lower temperatures. (Unofficial results for internal use only.)

Step 3:  Regulatory Approval – Provide permitting support to get approval to make changes permanent.

Step 4:  Demonstration – Incorporate physical changes and test for demonstration.

Feasibility Study

The feasibility study looks at two important considerations, emissions and equipment use to determine if there is flexibility in current permit or other regulatory requirements to allow a lower operating temperature of the oxidizer(s) or allow use of heat exchangers in the configuration of the control equipment.

The first step in this process is a review of existing conditions including actual and/or demonstrated emissions in reference to allowable permit or regulatory limits.  In this step, we review existing emission statements, source testing reports, permits and applicable regulations.  In certain cases, best available control technology (BACT) or lowest achievable emission rate (LAER) requirements may preclude further considerations for savings.  The objective in this step is to identify whether there is opportunity to lower oxidizer operating temperatures, while still meeting destruction efficiency (DE) requirements.

The second step in this process is a review of operating conditions and equipment configuration to determine what savings in fuel consumption are potentially achievable.  If operating temperatures can be lowered, then an estimate of fuel usage reduction and cost saving achievable can indicate whether to move forward with field evaluations.  Alternatively, configuration changes such as addition of heat exchangers can be considered to ensure operating temperatures can be achieved and compliance is maintained.

The result of the feasibility study is a preliminary determination that operational or configuration changes should be evaluated further in order to reduce overall energy consumption and cost for control.

Field Evaluation

The field evaluation is an empirical confirmation that the calculated fuel savings can be attained, while still demonstrating compliance with all applicable regulations.  The evaluation is coordinated to be conducted at or near the maximum operating capacity and typically involves having an oxidizer technical service engineer on-site to inspect and monitor the oxidizer system, during the evaluation. 

The field evaluation typically involves EPA method 25A/18 to simultaneously measure inlet and outlet VOC loading, to yield the VOC destruction removal efficiency.  An Avogadro mobile air testing laboratory is used to conduct the evaluation for greatest efficiency.  

The VOC loading will be measured on a mass bases at multiple oxidizer operating temperatures to yield the optimal or most fuel efficient set point for your oxidizer.

The client will have the option of requesting a report to document the feasibility of the lower operating temperature and the demonstration of compliance at the new operating condition.

Regulatory Approval

Based on the results of the feasibility study and field verification through pilot studies of emissions or equipment, a better understanding of operational or configuration changes required can be communicated to regulatory agencies to determine if additional approvals are needed.  If operational conditions are included in existing permit language, then permit modifications will be required.  If not, it is still advisable to review operational and/or configuration changes with regulators and have a written account of changes which would become part of the agency record for your site, sources, and equipment.  Permit modification review cycle time needs to be considered, when evaluating and/or implementing changes.

We are presently working with top air quality permitting officials at New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection (NJDEP and PADEP) to understand their concerns and gain their confidence that oxidizer optimization benefits all through reduced cost to maintain compliance and lower emissions from combustion sources such as oxidizers.  We anticipate gaining their concurrence on this process.  However, there are likely to be case-by-case considerations in gaining permit approvals.  Support from the top officials in agencies will certainly aid our clients.

Demonstration

This is the final phase which includes official agency authorized field verification of permanent physical changes to operations or configuration of control equipment.  Modifications to permits or other regulatory requirements will have been previously attained and the State agencies will likely request an option to observe the evaluation.

Assuming a compliance demonstration was previously conducted on the oxidizer, a test protocol was submitted and approved by the state regulating agency.  A detailed technical review of the protocol is conducted to verify the test methodology is germane and the old test protocol should be followed.

The test program is coordinated with all of the applicable parties, including the state agency, oxidizer service engineer, plant engineers and the Avogadro test group.

The evaluation will focus on conducting three official compliance tests on the new oxidizer set-point.  Regardless of the test method required by the regulating agency, the real-time methodology is conducting concurrently to provide on-site confirmation of the actual oxidizer performance and the highest level of certainty that compliance is attained.

A final report will be prepared and submitted to all parties documenting and demonstrating the new operating conditions and or configuration meets all of the compliance requirements.

Taking Your First Steps

At this time we are offering the Feasibility Study at the special price of $1,000 for all our current and previous customers.  ($2,000 for new customers)   If the study proves that there is the possibility for significant cost saving, we would then move on to the field evaluation.  As part of our offer to you, the cost of the feasibility study would be credited toward the field evaluation if your site has the potential to move to Step 2 of the program.  This program is structured to minimize your risk while opening the door to substantial savings each month – year after year!