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NOx Air Emissions and Best Available Control Technology

Q. Hello,

We have an aluminum cleaning line consisting of one tank of 50% nitric and one tank of 3.4% caustic. We will be using a Vertical wet scrubber to control HNO3 vapors/mist and subsequent NOx emissions. The scrubber we had designed for us has APE mesh pads, chevron blades, and has a 6ft packed bed. The air removal is 3200acfm. The local air authority is requiring us to do some form of BACT (Best Available Control Technology), before the installation of this device. After speaking with the permit engineer, I determined that BACT doesn't need to be that thorough, just have other control listed. There in lies the problem, searching the internet and the BACT/RACT/LAER Clearinghouse I haven't really been able to determine other control equipment that could be used for this process.

Any input for possible control devices or BACT analysis would be greatly appreciated.

Rico Maas
- Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
May 17, 2012