MHI has expanded the capacity of the flue-gas DeNOx catalyst production plants of Cormetech Inc. in the U.S., which was established as a 50-50 joint venture company in 1989 by MHI and Corning Incorporated of the U.S. With this capacity expansion, Cormetech has the world's largest DeNOx catalyst production capacity of 26,000 m3 per annum, about 150 % increase over its previous capacity. Cormetech's business has shown a continuous growth since it initiated production in 1992. This recent capacity expansion was made to meet increasing demands in the U.S. Environmental business in the U.S. has gradually increased since the 1990's, and is predicted to rapidly grow, with the backdrop of current regulations to be complied with by mid-2004. In addition, further discussions are taking place in the U.S. Senate to strengthen environmental regulations that are to be complied with by the year 2008. In this climate of focused concern toward environmental issues, and regulations, MHI foresees a continuous demand for the flue-gas DeNOx system, including additions of DeNOx plants to existing coal-fired boiler plants. Cormetech has its headquarters and the No. 1 plant in Durham, North Carolina, and the No. 2 plant in Cleveland, Tennessee. The No. 1 plant produces DeNOx catalyst for gas-fired plants and the No. 2 plant for coal-fired plants. The annual catalyst production capacity of the No. 1 plant was increased to 6,000 m3 from 4,000 m3, and the No. 2 plant to 20,000 m3 from 7,000 m3. DeNOx System is called as SCR System (Selective Catalytic NOx Removal System), which decomposes nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the flue gas from coal-fired boilers and gas turbines that are frequently used in power generation, into nitrogen and water by chemical reaction of NOx and ammonia. This technology was developed in Japan in the 1970's. The plant expansion completion ceremony was held in late June in Cleveland, being attended by the Mayor of Cleveland, and distinguished guests from customers, including Tennessee Valley Authority and Southern Company. |
