Why You Need An Ultra Low NOx Steam Boiler
Environmental awareness is no longer merely something for certain industries to think about; it’s an issue that businesses in all industries need to take seriously. For any business that utilizes a steam boiler, one of the best ways to lower your environmental footprint is with an ultra-low NOx boiler. These steam boilers help reduce the temperature of the boiler flame without sacrificing efficiency, resulting in lower boiler emissions. This is an important move not only in restricted emissions areas like California but also for the globe as a whole.
What Are NOx Emissions?
NOx is not just one substance. It actually refers to a family of chemical compounds called “nitrogen oxides” consisting of various combinations of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen oxides fall into the family of toxic greenhouse gases along with the more commonly known carbon dioxide (CO2). NOx compounds are poisonous and toxic; they are frequently responsible for the brown cloud of pollution we refer to as “smog”; and they also react with other substances in our atmosphere to form acid rain and ground-level ozone, which are also harmful. Nitrogen oxides are also poisonous and toxic to humans, causing respiratory issues and other types of illnesses.
What makes NOx so prevalent in our world is the fact that it is created by almost every type of machine that uses a combustion process. Gasoline-powered vehicles are perhaps the biggest offender collectively, but most of the devices we use for heating and cooling also produce NOx emissions — including HVAC systems, water heaters, air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, etc. And even though we may think of steam heat as a “clean” form of energy, steam boilers typically burn natural gas or heating oil, producing NOx as a byproduct.
Addressing The Problem Of NOx Emissions
At the present time, it would be unfeasible to eliminate NOx emissions completely, but the less of it we can put into the atmosphere, the better. This is why a growing number of companies are looking at ultra-low NOx furnaces, low NOx emission boilers, and the like. Emissions of harmful substances are being monitored and regulated more and more by government agencies. Most industries that utilize boilers now face restrictions that they need to meet in order to avoid fines or other penalties. Obviously, slowing down production in order to reduce emissions is not ideal. However, boiler technology has advanced to the point of being able to alter settings within the boiler that can help lower emissions of NOx and other greenhouse gases.
Reasons To Consider Getting An Ultra-Low NOx Steam Boiler
Switching to an ultra-low NOx boiler is an excellent move for both the environment and your business. Let’s look at a few reasons why.
1. Meet or Exceed Even the Strictest Emissions Standards
With a new, ultra-low NOx boiler, your business can almost immediately meet all local EPA standards and regulations, even in areas like California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) where emission limits are most restrictive. If you’re running out of time to meet standards that have been proposed or recently put in place, a low NOx boiler is one of the easiest ways to drastically reduce your emissions. It may also make your company eligible for various government rebates for reducing your environmental impact. And finally, even if you live in a more relaxed district, you’ll be in good shape should emission standards for your industry ever change.
2. Reduce Other Harmful Emissions like Carbon Monoxide
In addition to lowering your emissions of NOx, these new boilers are also able to reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, which is also harmful to the environment. Limiting carbon monoxide levels is the best way for any business to reduce its carbon footprint. Being able to reduce both carbon monoxide and NOx emissions at the same time is a dream come true for any company that cares about being environmentally conscious.
3. Better Energy Efficiency
Since NOx emissions result from the combustion process, a steam boiler with ultra-low NOx emissions will also likely be more energy-efficient, since it is consuming less fuel to create steam. For example, Miura’s LX model delivers fuel-to-steam efficiencies of 85% thanks to the model’s computer-aided design that offers optimal heating surface transfer with minimal water content. In contrast, a standard fire tube design delivers 83% in fuel-to-steam efficiencies. Thus, in addition to being more compliant with emission limits, you’ll also be saving on your energy bills.
4. Contributing to the Betterment of the Community, both Locally and Globally
Corporate social responsibility is more important than ever, especially when it comes to the environment. Letting consumers know that you are a socially responsible company can attract attention to your business in a positive way and increase your customer base.
If you’re looking for an ultra-low NOx boiler system that’s also energy-efficient, look no further than Miura steam boilers. With its compact size, our LX gas-fired boiler contains roughly 10 percent of the volume of water that traditional fire tube boilers do, which means it requires less fuel to operate without sacrificing steam productivity. Miura’s LX series of boilers come with a NOx emissions rating as low as 9 ppm depending on the model. Emissions this low can keep your business in line with any current or proposed regulations that relate to NOx emissions.
