Treating Coal with Enzymes to Reduce Emissions
This project was funded through Round 8: Oil and Gas in 2014 and demonstrated Enzergy™, a patented bioenzymatic coal treatment. Aimed at enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions at coal-fired plants, the technology demonstrated potential reductions in SO₂, NOx and CO₂ emissions while improving boiler efficiency and offering cost savings.
Enzergy™ employs a specially formulated mixture of bioenzymes applied as a diluted liquid spray onto coal before combustion. These bioenzymes are a type of protein that catalyze biochemical reactions at the molecular level, breaking long chains of coal hydrocarbons into smaller groups and oxygenating the coal. This process improves the fuel’s combustibility, enabling more complete and efficient combustion. Additionally, Enzergy™ converts combustion by-products into a fleecy, non-sticky material that reduces clogging in boilers, enhancing heat transfer and efficiency. The technology also catalyzes sulfur and nitrogen reactions to form salts, which are captured in ash, lowering stack SO₂ and NOx emissions.
Discovering Conditions for Optimal Performance
The project highlighted several important lessons and insights regarding the implementation of the Enzergy™ coal treatment technology. Initially, the project used untreated river water for enzyme dilution during the trial which significantly reduced the effectiveness of Enzergy™ as the enzymes were consumed by organic matter, such as algae in the water. Switching to deionized water improved the system’s performance dramatically, underscoring the need for proper water quality management. Additionally, the project determined that during colder seasons, the freezing point of the carrier water in the Enzergy™ solution could affect treatment performance. Consequently, heating elements or other modifications may be necessary to maintain operational efficiency in sub-zero temperatures. Continuous application of Enzergy™ was also found to be crucial for achieving optimal performance. Interruptions in treatment or insufficient application periods limited the treatment’s ability to stabilize boiler conditions and reduce emissions effectively.
What’s next?
While the project demonstrated reductions in CO₂, SO₂, and NOx emissions and identified several improvements during the trail phase, the Enzergy™ bioenzymatic coal treatment technology is no longer under active development or commercial application in the province. This is because Alberta’s energy landscape has shifted significantly since this project’s completion in 2014, with the province transitioning rapidly away from coal-fired electricity. As of 2024, coal-fired power plants have been retired or converted to natural gas, reducing the potential market for coal-enhancing technologies like Enzergy™. While the specific deployment of Enzergy™ has not expanded, its foundational insights contribute to the ongoing development of innovative emission reduction technologies in other industrial applications.