Babcock & Wilcox Obtains $40M Contract for Wet Gas Scrubbing at Canadian Refinery

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) received a $40 million contract to deliver and install advanced low-pressure wet gas scrubbing (WGS) technology at a major petroleum refinery in Canada. The WGS system controls SO₂ emissions from fluid catalytic cracking and fluid coker units, allowing refiners to comply with environmental regulations. With enhancements, it may also control NO_x and particulate emissions, furthering the technology’s approach to emissions compliance.

“This contract underscores the confidence our customers have in B&W’s ability to deliver complex environmental solutions on time and on budget,” said Justin Chenevey, Vice President, Environmental and ClimateBright, B&W. “Our WGS technology combines ExxonMobil’s proven process with B&W’s engineering expertise and procurement to provide reliability, efficiency, and flexibility for refineries facing increasingly strict emissions standards.”

The WGS system features high SO₂-removal efficiency and low-pressure operation to minimize energy consumption. Its customizable designs accommodate challenging site layouts, while its integration with NO_x and particulate control technologies reinforces comprehensive compliance. B&W is an authorized licensee of ExxonMobil’s WGS technology, which has been successfully deployed in many refinery applications globally.

In September 2025, the Canadian refinery customer placed a $10 million order and this WGS installation represents an additional $30 million commitment with B&W. The project represents a significant milestone for B&W as it continues to provide advanced environmental solutions for the North American refining industry.

BrightLoop Project

In December 2024, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development funded Mountaineer C2H, a subsidiary of B&W Enterprises, up to $10 million to develop a BrightLoop hydrogen production and carbon-capture facility in Mason County, WV. Funds will be doled out as B&W reaches project milestones. The low-carbon hydrogen production facility, powered by coal and biomass, will use B&W’s chemical looping technology supported by the agreement’s performance-based financial and economic development assistance.

BrightLoop technology uses B&W’s iron-oxide “TranspO₂rt” particle to generate hydrogen by separating water molecules. It also captures carbon emissions at a low cost-per-kilogram across a range of fuels, including solid and gaseous fuels. The system reduces the energy input required to create hydrogen, simultaneously offering a carbon-neutral or net-negative impact.

Fuel Conversion in Indiana

In November 2024, B&W’s thermal segment received approval to proceed with a coal-to-natural gas conversion project, valued at approximately $246 million, at AES Indiana’s 1,160-MW Petersburg Generating Station. The project is slated for completion in Q1 2027. AES Indiana will transition away from coal and minimize CO₂ emissions by converting two coal-fired boilers to burn natural gas as fuel.

“We began engineering and design work earlier this year and are pleased to be moving forward with this important project for AES Indiana,” said Chris Riker, Senior Vice President, B&W Thermal. “We continue to see interest from utilities in the United States and elsewhere that want to switch from coal to cleaner fuels, such as natural gas, to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the overall environmental impact of their generating assets.”

B&W Thermal will design and install a new natural gas system, air systems, and additional equipment; B&W Construction will conduct the project’s construction portion; and B&W FPS will deliver burners, ignitors, controls, and other technologies for the Petersburg Generating Station. Previously, B&W obtained a limited notice to proceed with the project, with the full notice granted in Q4 2024.