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Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1442Show full title

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/1442 of 31 July 2017 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for large combustion plants (notified under document C(2017) 5225) (Text with EEA relevance)

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3.BAT CONCLUSIONS FOR THE COMBUSTION OF LIQUID FUELSU.K.

The BAT conclusions presented in this section do not apply to combustion plants on offshore platforms; these are covered by Section 4.3

3.1. HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired boilers U.K.

Unless otherwise stated, the BAT conclusions presented in this section are generally applicable to the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers. They apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1

3.1.1. Energy efficiency U.K.
Table 13

BAT-associated energy efficiency levels (BAT-AEELs) for HFO and/or gas oil combustion in boilers

a

These BAT-AEELs do not apply to units operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

In the case of CHP units, only one of the two BAT-AEELs ‘Net electrical efficiency’ or ‘Net total fuel utilisation’ applies, depending on the CHP unit design (i.e. either more oriented towards electricity generation or towards heat generation).

c

These levels may not be achievable if the potential heat demand is too low.

Type of combustion unitBAT-AEELsa b
Net electrical efficiency (%)Net total fuel utilisation (%)c
New unitExisting unitNew unitExisting unit
HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired boiler> 36,435,6–37,480–9680–96
3.1.2. NOX and CO emissions to air U.K.
BAT 28.In order to prevent or reduce NOX emissions to air while limiting CO emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Air stagingSee descriptions in Section 8.3Generally applicable
b.Fuel staging
c.Flue-gas recirculation
d.Low-NOX burners (LNB)
e.Water/steam additionApplicable within the constraints of water availability
f.Selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR)

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr with highly variable boiler loads.

The applicability may be limited in the case of combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr with highly variable boiler loads

g.Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)See descriptions in Section 8.3

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr.

Not generally applicable to combustion plants of < 100 MWth

h.Advanced control systemGenerally applicable to new combustion plants. The applicability to old combustion plants may be constrained by the need to retrofit the combustion system and/or control command system
i.Fuel choiceApplicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
Table 14

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for NOX emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

c

For industrial boilers and district heating plants put into operation no later than 27 November 2003, which are operated < 1 500 h/yr and for which SCR and/or SNCR is not applicable, the higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 450 mg/Nm3.

d

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 110 mg/Nm3 for plants of 100–300 MWth and plants of ≥ 300 MWth that were put into operation no later than 7 January 2014.

e

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 145 mg/Nm3 for plants of 100–300 MWth and plants of ≥ 300 MWth that were put into operation no later than 7 January 2014.

f

For industrial boilers and district heating plants of > 100 MWth put into operation no later than 27 November 2003, which are operated < 1 500 h/yr and for which SCR and/or SNCR is not applicable, the higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 365 mg/Nm3.

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb
< 10075–200150–270100–215210–330c
≥ 10045–7545–100d85–10085–110e f

As an indication, the yearly average CO emission levels will generally be:

  • 10-30 mg/Nm3 for existing combustion plants of < 100 MWth operated ≥ 1 500 h/yr, or new combustion plants of <100 MWth,

  • 10–20mg/Nm3 for existing combustion plants of ≥ 100 MWth operated ≥ 1 500 h/yr, or new combustion plants of ≥ 100 MWth.

3.1.3. SOX, HCl and HF emissions to air U.K.
BAT 29.In order to prevent or reduce SOX, HCl and HF emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Duct sorbent injection (DSI)See description in Section 8.4Generally applicable
b.Spray dry absorber (SDA)
c.Flue-gas condenser
d.

Wet flue-gas desulphurisation

(wet FGD)

There may be technical and economic restrictions for applying the technique to combustion plants of < 300 MWth.

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr

e.Seawater FGD

There may be technical and economic restrictions for applying the technique to combustion plants of < 300 MWth.

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr

f.Fuel choiceApplicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
Table 15

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for SO2 emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

c

For industrial boilers and district heating plants put into operation no later than 27 November 2003 and operated < 1 500 h/yr, the higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 400 mg/Nm3.

d

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 175 mg/Nm3 for plants put into operation no later than 7 January 2014.

e

For industrial boilers and district heating plants put into operation no later than 27 November 2003, which are operated < 1 500 h/yr and for which wet FGD is not applicable, the higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 200 mg/Nm3.

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs for SO2 (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb
< 30050–17550–175150–200150–200c
≥ 30035–5050–11050–120150–165d e
3.1.4. Dust and particulate-bound metal emissions to air U.K.
BAT 30.In order to reduce dust and particulate-bound metal emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Electrostatic precipitator (ESP)See description in Section 8.5Generally applicable
b.Bag filter
c.Multicyclones

See description in Section 8.5.

Multicyclones can be used in combination with other dedusting techniques

d.Dry or semi-dry FGD system

See descriptions in Section 8.5.

The technique is mainly used for SOX, HCl and/or HF control

e.Wet flue-gas desulphurisation (wet FGD)

See description in Section 8.5.

The technique is mainly used for SOX, HCl and/or HF control

See applicability in BAT 29
f.Fuel choiceSee description in Section 8.5Applicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
Table 16

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for dust emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in boilers

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

c

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 25 mg/Nm3 for plants put into operation no later than 7 January 2014.

d

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 15 mg/Nm3 for plants put into operation no later than 7 January 2014.

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs for dust (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb
< 3002–102–207–187–22c
≥ 3002–52–107–107–11d

3.2. HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired engines U.K.

Unless otherwise stated, the BAT conclusions presented in this section are generally applicable to the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines. They apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

As regards HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired engines, secondary abatement techniques for NOX, SO2 and dust may not be applicable to engines in islands that are part of a small isolated system(1) or a micro isolated system(2), due to technical, economic and logistical/infrastructure constraints, pending their interconnection to the mainland electricity grid or access to a natural gas supply. The BAT-AELs for such engines shall therefore only apply in small isolated system and micro isolated system as from 1 January 2025 for new engines, and as from 1 January 2030 for existing engines.

3.2.1. Energy efficiency U.K.
BAT 31.In order to increase the energy efficiency of HFO and/or gas oil combustion in reciprocating engines, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given in BAT 12 and below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Combined cycleSee description in Section 8.2

Generally applicable to new units operated ≥ 1 500 h/yr.

Applicable to existing units within the constraints associated with the steam cycle design and the space availability.

Not applicable to existing units operated < 1 500 h/yr

Table 17

BAT-associated energy efficiency levels (BAT-AEELs) for the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines

a

These BAT-AEELs do not apply to units operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

Net electrical efficiency BAT-AEELs apply to CHP units whose design is oriented towards power generation, and to units generating only power.

c

These levels may be difficult to achieve in the case of engines fitted with energy-intensive secondary abatement techniques.

d

This level may be difficult to achieve in the case of engines using a radiator as a cooling system in dry, hot geographical locations.

Type of combustion unitBAT-AEELsa
Net electrical efficiency (%)b
New unitExisting unit
HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired reciprocating engine — single cycle41,5–44,5c38,3–44,5c
HFO- and/or gas-oil-fired reciprocating engine — combined cycle> 48dNo BAT-AEEL
3.2.2. NOX, CO and volatile organic compound emissions to air U.K.
BAT 32.In order to prevent or reduce NOX emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Low-NOX combustion concept in diesel enginesSee descriptions in Section 8.3Generally applicable
b.Exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR)Not applicable to four-stroke engines
c.Water/steam addition

Applicable within the constraints of water availability.

The applicability may be limited where no retrofit package is available

d.Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr.

Retrofitting existing combustion plants may be constrained by the availability of sufficient space

BAT 33.In order to prevent or reduce emissions of CO and volatile organic compounds to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines, BAT is to use one or both of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Combustion optimisationGenerally applicable
b.Oxidation catalystsSee descriptions in Section 8.3

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

The applicability may be limited by the sulphur content of the fuel

Table 18

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for NOX emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr or to plants that cannot be fitted with secondary abatement techniques.

b

The BAT-AEL range is 1 150–1 900 mg/Nm3 for plants operated < 1 500 h/yr and for plants that cannot be fitted with secondary abatement techniques.

c

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

d

For plants including units of < 20 MWth combusting HFO, the higher end of the BAT-AEL range applying to those units is 225 mg/Nm3.

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb c
≥ 50115–190d125–625145–300150–750

As an indication, for existing combustion plants burning only HFO and operated ≥ 1 500 h/yr or new combustion plants burning only HFO,

  • the yearly average CO emission levels will generally be 50–175 mg/Nm3,

  • the average over the sampling period for TVOC emission levels will generally be 10–40 mg/Nm3.

3.2.3. SOX, HCl and HF emissions to air U.K.
BAT 34.In order to prevent or reduce SOX, HCl and HF emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Fuel choiceSee descriptions in Section 8.4Applicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
b.Duct sorbent injection (DSI)

There may be technical restrictions in the case of existing combustion plants

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr

c.Wet flue-gas desulphurisation (wet FGD)

There may be technical and economic restrictions for applying the technique to combustion plants of < 300 MWth.

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr

Table 19

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for SO2 emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

c

The higher end of the BAT-AEL range is 280 mg/Nm3 if no secondary abatement technique can be applied. This corresponds to a sulphur content of the fuel of 0,5 wt-% (dry).

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs for SO2 (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb
All sizes45–100100–200c60–110105–235c
3.2.4. Dust and particulate-bound metal emissions to air U.K.
BAT 35.In order to prevent or reduce dust and particulate-bound metal emissions from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Fuel choiceSee descriptions in Section 8.5Applicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
b.Electrostatic precipitator (ESP)Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr
c.Bag filter
Table 20

BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) for dust emissions to air from the combustion of HFO and/or gas oil in reciprocating engines

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

Combustion plant total rated thermal input(MWth)BAT-AELs for dust (mg/Nm3)
Yearly averageDaily average or average over the sampling period
New plantExisting plantaNew plantExisting plantb
≥ 505–105–3510–2010–45

3.3. Gas-oil-fired gas turbines U.K.

Unless stated otherwise, the BAT conclusions presented in this section are generally applicable to the combustion of gas oil in gas turbines. They apply in addition to the general BAT conclusions given in Section 1.

3.3.1. Energy efficiency U.K.
BAT 36.In order to increase the energy efficiency of gas oil combustion in gas turbines, BAT is to use an appropriate combination of the techniques given in BAT 12 and below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Combined cycleSee description in Section 8.2

Generally applicable to new units operated ≥ 1 500 h/yr.

Applicable to existing units within the constraints associated with the steam cycle design and the space availability.

Not applicable to existing units operated < 1 500 h/yr

Table 21

BAT-associated energy efficiency levels (BAT-AEELs) for gas-oil-fired gas turbines

a

These BAT-AEELs do not apply to units operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

Net electrical efficiency BAT-AEELs apply to CHP units whose design is oriented towards power generation, and to units generating only power.

Type of combustion unitBAT-AEELsa
Net electrical efficiency (%)b
New unitExisting unit
Gas-oil-fired open-cycle gas turbine> 3325–35,7
Gas-oil-fired combined cycle gas turbine> 4033–44
3.3.2. NOX and CO emissions to air U.K.
BAT 37.In order to prevent or reduce NOX emissions to air from the combustion of gas oil in gas turbines, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Water/steam additionSee description in Section 8.3The applicability may be limited due to water availability
b.Low-NOX burners (LNB)Only applicable to turbine models for which low-NOX burners are available on the market
c.Selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

There may be technical and economic restrictions for retrofitting existing combustion plants operated between 500 h/yr and 1 500 h/yr.

Retrofitting existing combustion plants may be constrained by the availability of sufficient space

BAT 38.In order to prevent or reduce CO emissions to air from the combustion of gas oil in gas turbines, BAT is to use one or a combination of the techniques given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Combustion optimisationSee description in Section 8.3Generally applicable
b.Oxidation catalysts

Not applicable to combustion plants operated < 500 h/yr.

Retrofitting existing combustion plants may be constrained by the availability of sufficient space

As an indication, the emission level for NOX emissions to air from the combustion of gas oil in dual fuel gas turbines for emergency use operated < 500 h/yr will generally be 145–250 mg/Nm3 as a daily average or average over the sampling period.

3.3.3. SOX and dust emissions to air U.K.
BAT 39.In order to prevent or reduce SOX and dust emissions to air from the combustion of gas oil in gas turbines, BAT is to use the technique given below.U.K.
TechniqueDescriptionApplicability
a.Fuel choiceSee description in Section 8.4Applicable within the constraints associated with the availability of different types of fuel, which may be impacted by the energy policy of the Member State
Table 22

BAT-associated emission levels for SO2 and dust emissions to air from the combustion of gas oil in gas turbines, including dual fuel gas turbines

a

These BAT-AELs do not apply to existing plants operated < 1 500 h/yr.

b

For existing plants operated < 500 h/yr, these levels are indicative.

Type of combustion plantBAT-AELs (mg/Nm3)
SO2Dust
Yearly averageaDaily average or average over the sampling periodbYearly averageaDaily average or average over the sampling periodb
New and existing plants35–6050–662–52–10
(1)

As defined in point 26 of Article 2 of Directive 2009/72/EC.

(2)

As defined in point 27 of Article 2 of Directive 2009/72/EC.

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