Analysis of the correlation between gaseous emissions and energy performance of fixed combustion sources in Ecuador

Abstract

In this research, the combustion efficiency of twenty gas and fuel oil furnaces from refineries around Ecuador, and thirty boilers from different industries in the city of Quito were analyzed, as well as the gas emissions generated and the profitability of the insertion of air pre-heaters to improve the combustion processes. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months, obtaining the emission factors for the gas-fired furnaces of 4.5 kg of SO2/kg of gas burned; 22.4 of NOX/kg of gas burned and 44.5 kg of CO/kg of gas burned; while the emission factors found for the fuel oil furnaces were 93.9 kg of SO2/kg of fuel oil; 24.9 kg of NOX/kg of fuel oil and 2.5 kg of CO/kg of fuel oil. On the other hand, typical emission factors for the boilers were 1.7 kg SO2/kg of diesel burned; 1.5 kg NOX/kg of diesel burned and 1.0 kg CO/kg of diesel burned. Finally, the implementation of the air preheater increases the efficiency of the CD20 boiler by 4.1%, which implied a net present value (NPV) of USD 8 325,77 and an IRR of 31%, which determined the feasibility and profitability of the project.