Waukegan, IL, US – United Conveyor Corporation (UCC), a global leader in ash handling systems and custom-engineered material handling systems, has acquired the O’Brien & Gere (OBG) dry sorbent injection technologies business. This business specializes in the development and application of dry sorbent injection, delivering cost-effective strategies to reduce air pollutants from coal-fired utilities, industrial, commercial and institutional boilers. Effective from 4 November 2009, OBG dry sorbent injection technologies’ customers, sales and technical personnel are welcomed into the UCC team.

This acquisition broadens UCC’s extensive ash and reagent handling product lines and strengthens its ability to improve plant performance. The addition of dry sorbent injection technology will help customers address regulatory requirements for the reduction of SO2, SO3, mercury and acid gases.

“UCC is dedicated to continuous innovation and expansion of the industry’s broadest portfolio of material handling solutions serving the power generation industry,” states Doug Basler, the company’s president. “This acquisition represents a perfect technological match for utility customers, combining the capabilities of two industry leaders with the convenience of single source accountability.”

OBG has pioneered the modeling, testing and demonstration phases of dry sorbent injection applications. Dry sorbent injection technology injects select sorbents into the flue gas to control emissions and works in tandem with existing pollution control devices, including wet scrubbers, baghouses and electrostatic precipitators. This technology delivers performance at a low capital cost, providing a compelling alternative to wet and dry scrubbers.

Dan Charhut, vice-president of technology at UCC, adds: “United Conveyor is now uniquely positioned to offer customers a performance-based, turnkey solution for dry sorbent injection, including predictive modeling, testing, demonstration, system design and supply, installation and commissioning, while leveraging our ash handling expertise to ensure overall plant performance.”