A	J\ United States
Environmental Protection
^1 M m Agency
EPA 600/S-17/427 | October 2017
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27713
Research Summary
Multipollutant Control Research Facility (MPCRF)
i.O Introduction
State of the Art Research Facility
•	4 MMBtu/hr muiti fuel-fired facility
•	Able to evaluate combinations of technologies
•	Able to optimize control of multiple pollutants (S02, NOx,
PM, HCI and Hg)
Represents Key Pre- and Post-Combustion Technology Options
•	Low NOx Burner
•	Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR): IMOx and Hg Oxidation
•	Lime Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD): S02 and Hg Capture
•	Fabric Filter or Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP): Fine PM
and Hg Capture
•	Conventional and Advanced Sorbents: Hg, S02, and/or NOx
Collaborative Research with Regions, States, Program Offices and Industry.
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Multipollutant Control Research Facility (MPCRF) is located at
their Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, campus. The MPCRF combustor is a pulverized coal-, natural gas-,
and biomass-fired furnace with a maximum firing rate of 4 MM Btu/'hour. At its pilot-scale size, viable emissions
control technologies may be tested, modeled, and scaled-up to provide results for use by regulatory and
commercial/industrial partners. It has been used for testing of dry sorbent injection and electrostatic-based
particle removal technologies, as well as a host of studies to investigate pre- and post-combustion control
technologies developed to reduce emissions. The facility is operated in a manner to closely mimic the time-
temperature profiles of those in commercial utility systems. The
combustor can be modified and the flue gas can be routed to
utilize or avoid various controls in order to evaluate the emission
characteristics and the effectiveness of available emission control
technologies.

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2.0 MPCRF Components
The MPCRF consists of a furnace and five primary control devices: low NOx burner, selective catalytic reduction
(SCR), electrostatic precipitator (ESP), baghouse, and wet lime flue gas desulfurization (FGD). The effluent path
can be directed to bypass the SCR and to flow through either the ESP or baghouse depending on the objectives
of the test program. Heat exchangers are located strategically throughout the facility to provide a wide range of
testing environments, A detailed description of the facility and its individual components can be found in
Yelverton et al., 2016.
T.L.B. Yelverton, D.G. Nash, J.E. Brown, C.F. Singer, J.V. Ryan, P. Kariher (2016) Dry sorbent injection oftrona to control acid gases from a
pilot-scale coal-fired combustion facility, AIMS Environmental Science, 3(1): 45-57.
There are multiple mechanisms to work directly with EPA or with an fit-house contractor.
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3.0 MPCRF: Past, Present and Future Activities
•	Testing of conventional and advanced sorbents for contaminant control
•	Coal blending tests to examine effects on Hg oxidation (collaborative w/ EPRI)
•	Testing and demonstration of Hg continuous emission monitors
•	CO2 capture technologies (collaborative w/ RTI)
•	Testing and demonstration of innovative measurement and control technologies rapid quenching for
mercury oxidation enhancement (collaborative with Breen Energy Solutions)
•	Surrogate evaluations for Hazardous Air Pollutants (OAQPS)
•	Testing of agricultural by-product (biomass) blended with coal up to 80% (by mass)
•	Co-firing of natural gas and coal at various blend ratios
4.0 Keywords
Multi-Pollutant, AEMD, Air Research, Tiffany Yelverton, Ed Brown,
Contact Information
Tiffany Yelverton velverton.tiffanvffiepa.gov
919.541.9456
Ed Brown brown.edffiepa.gov
919.541.2744
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