Gulf Power Company is testing its new “scrubber” system at Plant Crist near Pensacola. The state of the art Flue Gas Desulfurization system is designed to reduce regulated emissions from the coal-fired power plant by up to 95 percent.

Commercial operation for the system is scheduled for Dec. 15, but Southern Company and Gulf Power engineers have already begun operational testing.

While operating, the scrubber releases water vapor through a new 490-foot stack. The white steam coming from the plant is the most visible sign that the scrubber system is working as it should.

 “When you see the white steam coming from the stack, that’s a really good thing,” said Sandy Sims, Gulf Power spokesperson. “It means the scrubber is doing its job.”

 

The scrubber system is also tied into another important environmental enhancement for the region. Gulf Power has entered a partnership with Emerald Coast Utilities Authority to use reclaimed water from the new ECUA advanced wastewater treatment facility being built just north of Plant Crist. Gulf Power will use the water for the scrubber and Plant Crist, making the new ECUA plant, which will replace the Main Street wastewater facility, a zero discharge plant.

The scrubber, which cost $645 million, was built for Gulf Power by its parent Southern Company to meet federal regulations and enhanced clean air standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Since 1992, Gulf Power has reduced regulated emissions by more than 70 percent despite increased electricity demand from 120,000 new customers.

With the scrubber system fully operational, Gulf Power will have reduced overall regulated emissions by more than 85 percent since 1992.

“It’s like welcoming a new addition to the Gulf Power family,” Sims said. “The scrubber is our most significant capital and environmental project, and it also shows our continuing commitment to the environment.”

How the scrubber works

The scrubber system uses a simple chemical reaction to neutralize sulfur dioxide, a regulated emission compound released when coal is burned to produce electricity.

1. Limestone slurry is piped into the jet bubbling reactor, a 119-by 57-foot fiberglass vessel patented by Chiyoda Corp.

2. Gases from the plant’s four units are piped into the vessel and bubbled through the swirling limestone.

3. The limestone reacts with the sulfur dioxide, neutralizes it and forms a byproduct of market-quality gypsum.

4. The gypsum is then piped off to a dewatering facility where it can be prepared for market. Gypsum is commonly used for making cement, wallboard and other applications.

The scrubber system is only the latest in a series of Gulf Power environmental projects.

• In 2005, Gulf Power opened the Mercury Research Center, a first-of-its kind facility to provide advanced research in mercury detection and control technology.

• Gulf Power installed systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions at Plant Crist, and recently on both coal-fired units at Plant Smith, near Panama City earlier this year.

• Gulf Power has entered an agreement with Escambia County to build and operate a landfill gas-to-energy facility at Perdido Landfill in Escambia County.

• In October, Gulf Power began operating a meteorological tower on Navarre Beach, which will be used to research viability of wind energy and provide wind data used in the science curriculum for Santa Rosa County schools.

 

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 400,000 customers in 10 counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely deliver affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy to very satisfied customers in strong communities.