ClearSign Combustion Corporation (NASDAQ: CLIR) announced today it has validated a measurable and significant increase in energy efficiency in a Once-Through Steam Generator (OTSG) used for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operating at Aera Energy LLC's Belridge field outside Bakersfield, CA. The unit, now operating at a higher firing rate, continues to provide sub 5 PPM NOx while maintaining steam capacity and quality.
ClearSign Chairman and CEO, Steve Pirnat, said "This is a significant milestone achievement for the company. We have now validated at a customer site, and at full industrial scale, that Duplex Technology can achieve the industry's lowest NOx emissions, and that it actually increases energy efficiency. To our knowledge, Duplex is the only low-NOx combustion equipment that can make this claim. Proving that effectively lowering emissions doesn't have to result in a cost penalty is truly a game-changer. This is a win for the environment and a win for the customer."
ClearSign reports the superior environmental performance of Duplex Technology has been validated at an increased firing rate of 52 Million Btu/hr, while also showing a thermal efficiency improvement of the order of 1% when compared to a baseline case with a conventional low NOx burner without Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR).
OTSG systems typically operate with FGR to lower NOx emissions. FGR, however, penalizes thermal efficiency, increasing fuel and electricity costs. ClearSign estimates the comparison of Duplex versus systems operating with FGR will provide an overall energy savings of as much as 3 - 4%, representing a reduction in annual operating expense of between $90,000 and $100,000 at current local natural gas and electricity prices. The validation demonstrated the supply of steam at the capacity and quality required for oil field operations.
In February it was reported that, using ClearSign Duplex Technology, the OTSG unit was operating at 42.5 Million Btu/hr while meeting the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District's Rule 4320, which requires NOx emissions of 5 PPM or less (corrected at 3% O2).
Truong Duy