Shale gas extraction and water reuse for power plants are among the leading growth markets in the air, energy, and water fields, according to a market research firm. The firm, McIlvaine Co., has created a list of the 10 most promising markets and says they include some with double-digit growth opportunities.
So this is one company's best bets in order of potential market size.
1. Shale gas: According to McIlvaine, the requirement for hydraulic fracturing increases the investment in flow control and treatment products in this industry. The U.S. has reserves which could make it self-sufficient for 30 years. China's reserves are greater but deeper and are in areas short of water where it will be needed. China plans 60 billion cubic meters of capacity by 2020.
2. Vessel air and water treatment: McIlvaine estimates an investment of $70 billion will be needed to supply 70,000 ships with systems to treat ballast water to avoid discharges of invasive species. Large investments will also be needed to reduce sulfur and NOx emissions from ships.
3. Water reuse: Power plants and other large water users will accelerate the treatment and use of wastewater. McIlvaine expects that investments in systems and chemicals "will be substantial." (ASME has identified this area as the "Energy-Water Nexus," and the need for sustainability technologies to support it was the subject of an article, "Energy Meets Water," in the July 2011 issue of Mechanical Engineering.)
4. NOx control: McIlvaine sees demand from coal-fired power plants in China and regulation of vehicle emissions in the U.S. and Europe spurring double-digit growth in NOx control technologies, especially for suppliers of urea and ammonia.
5. Aquaculture: Recirculating tanks and efficient filtration are improving fish farming, which is growing in importance, McIlvaine says, with the depletion of wild fish populations.
6. Improvements in fossil plants: Resistance to new construction and the aging of plants in the U.S. and Europe are forcing operators of existing coal-fired power plants to modernize. Many will replace outdated instrumentation and controls.
7. Remediation: McIlvaine predicts that remediation of soil and groundwater in developing countries will generate $36 billion in revenue this year.
8. Fine particulate reductions: McIlvaine expects legislation will stimulate markets for particulate reduction technology and also predicts that fabric filters will replace electrostatic precipitators in many cement and power plants.
9. Management of solid waste: Waste-to-energy through combustion of solid wastes or generation of biogas will replace landfill as a disposal method in developing countries.
10. Renewables: Although the short-term outlook for wind and solar has been dimmed by interest in shale gas and solar cell manufacturers have been shaken up, McIlvaine predicts that the renewables market will bounce back.
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