Clean technology, or “Cleantech”, is a category of products and services that improve operational performance, productivity and efficiency while reducing costs, energy consumption, waste or pollution. Cleantech is especially applicable in the process of energy generation.
The burning of coal to generate power is a focal point in the power industry’s efforts to meet exploding demands for economical energy in a manner that protects the environment. Since coal is a lost-cost fuel, the number of coal-burning electric generating plants is increasing significantly in both the Untied States and in emerging nations abroad.
By installing Cleantech applications, power plants are able to increase fuel efficiencies and control greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, Cleantech dryers that use waste heat to remove moisture from lignite coal are able to extract more energy from the coal when it’s burned and reduce CO2 emissions in the process.
Ometric SpectrInline® installed directly in the dryer line provides real-time measurement of the moisture levels in the coal at the speed of light. Feedback is continuous and immediate. Based on this SpectrInline data, the process can be immediately adjusted via PLC-based automation and the process optimized, allowing the coal to burn more efficiently with fewer emissions.
SpectrInline process control is also applicable in the production of eco-friendly alternative energy. SpectrInline performs real-time, in-line the measurement of glycerides in bio-diesel fuel, where quality in both batch and continuous-flow production is essential. SpectrInline is also applicable in measuring the moisture level in nuclear fuel rods.
