Device tracks CO2 release at Genesee22 Aug
Technology helps Capital Power save money
BY DAVE COOPER, EDMONTON JOURNAL
A laser-based gas monitoring system the size of a toaster is allowing Capital Power to track its carbon dioxide emissions by the second, and make changes at its Genesee 3 plant that can cut those emissions by two per cent.
That’s doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is–60,000 tonnes a year worth $1 million in credits under the province’s new greenhouse gas emitter regulations.
The $40,000 device, from Boreal Laser Inc. in Spruce Grove, is a first in North America.
“Ninety per cent of our business is outside Canada, and our gas detectors are in use in smelters and refineries in 40 countries around the world,” said Hamish Adam, Boreal’s chief executive.
“This is the first unit solely for carbon dioxide, and the first in an exhaust stack for a power plant.”
Boreal engineer Brian Sinfield said the laser beam has a power of just 20 milliwatts, one five-thousandth the power of a 100-watt light bulb. The laser emitter is mounted inside the 6.7-metre-wide stack and shoots a beam of invisible infrared light across to a reflector.