March 2022

Air Quality Management

Year 2022

San Buenaventura Power Plant (SBPL) Air Pollution Control and Reduction Project

Clean air is a priority at EGCO Group. We recognize it is critical to effectively monitor air pollutants and manage air quality within the power plant and surrounding areas. We control our emissions to comply with national and global regulatory standards and limits to minimize the impact on the environment and local communities.

San Buenaventura Power Plant is equipped with advanced air quality management technologies to ensure emission controls meet the targets set forth by EGCO Group. The following air pollution control devices were installed:

  • Low Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) burners
  • Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP)
  • Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) devices
  • Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS)

In addition, dust generated from the transportation of coal, both maritime and land transport to storage yards, is controlled using a coal unloader with a vertical screw conveyor or a closed system conveyor with a wind guard. Water-spray dust control is utilized in conjunction to further suppress airborne dust particles.

Benefits of the Project

  • Met national and global ambient air quality standards and requirements.
  • 24/7 continuous monitoring of the power plant’s air quality

Implementation Approach

  • Utilize various air quality management technologies through the installation of equipment that reduces air pollution within the power plant

2022 Performance

  • Reduced NOx emissions by 218.66 metric tons
  • Reduced SOx emissions by 1,643.05 metric tons

Quezon Power Plant Air Pollution Control and Reduction Project

Given Quezon Power Plant’s long-term plan to continue operations for the next 25 years and beyond, in order to minimize the impact to air quality on the environment and surrounding communities, Quezon Power Plant has executed a plan to install air pollution control technologies, such as:

  • Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD)
  • Accelerator-based techniques that use chemical application to reduce pollutants emitted from the power plant’s activities.

Both technologies contribute to the reduction of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions in coal-fired power plants, which Quezon Power Plant is currently exploring the feasibility of installation to meet EGCO Group’s air pollution reduction targets.

Benefits of the Project

  • Reduced sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions within the power plant

Implementation Approach

  • Utilize various air quality management technologies through the installation of equipment that reduces air pollution within the power plant

2022 Performance

Reduced SOx emissions by 1,643.05 metric tons

Quezon Power Plant (QPL) and San Buenaventura Power Plant (SBPL) Ozone-Depleting Substance Control and Reduction Project

QPL and SBPL have implemented a project to reduce emissions of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) to mitigate climate change. The project aims to upgrade the power plant’s current air conditioning systems to clean and recover refrigerants so they could be reintroduced back into the system for reuse.

Benefits of the Project

  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions caused by ozone-depleting substances.

Implementation Approach

  • Repair, upgrade, and maintain air conditioning systems in the power plants by reintroducing clean and recovered refrigerants back for use.

2022 Performance

Reused 27.7 kilograms of refrigerants back into the air conditioning systems at Quezon Power Plant and San Buenaventura Power Plant

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 50.34 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from reusing refrigerants back into the air conditioning systems at Quezon Power Plant and San Buenaventura Power Plant

Year 2021

Air Quality Management Project

Upgrade of Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) at Quezon Power Plant

Electrostatic precipitator (ESP) technology is currently becoming more advanced due to the more stringent pollution control requirements. The ESP at Quezon Power Plant had experienced a lowering efficiency due to a limited function and frequent shutdown of pulverizer, therefore failed to meet the efficiency criteria. The ESP was therefore upgraded with the followings:

  • Changing rigid discharge electrode;
  • Installing anti-sway insulator;
  • Revising inspection and maintenance plan; and
  • Cleaning the ESP to increase the efficiency of pollutant opacity control system.

After the upgrade, the air pollution control efficiency of the ESP has increased which can be indicated from total metric ton of fly ash collected. In 2019, collection of total metric ton of fly ash was 36,490.75 metric ton and in 2021, collection of total metric ton of fly ash increased to 52,868.21 metric ton (increased 45%)

Air Quality Impact Mitigation Measures at BLCP Power Plant

Power plant technology at BLCP has been proven for its air pollution treatment efficiency in countries around the world. It is ensured that the emission level from the power plant is maintained within legal requirements. Air quality control equipment installed includes the following.

  • Low NOx burner;
  • Electrostatic precipitator (ESP);
  • Flue gas desulphurization (FGD); and
  • Chimney of 200 m high.

BLCP Power Plant has installed continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS), as well as 4 air quality monitoring stations (AQMS) around the plant to continuously monitor the air quality due to the operation of the power plant.

In addition, the dust generated from coal loading from ship or at loading area, coal conveyor system, or coal storage yard, are controlled by using an enclosed coal conveyor system or provided with wind guard.

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