Evaluation of feasibility of pelletized wood co-firing with high ash Indian coals

To reduce anthropogenic CO₂ emissions from power plants, biomass is an immediate alternative fuel which has similar properties as coal. In this regard, the present study discusses about pelletized wood (PW) co-firing with high ash Indian coal by conducting co-milling and co-firing trials in a 1000 kg/hr of pilot scale test facility. Indian coals are typically high ash content and low calorific value fuels, therefore, its interaction with coal during combustion and ash deposition have studied in detail. Based on co-milling trails of PW and coal, it was observed that as PW proportion in coal increases, the quantity of particles of size below 50 μm and as well above 500 μm were increased. From co-firing studies, it was observed that higher volatile content in PW helping in stabilizing flames while co-firing. At lower proportions, up to 10% weight PW co-firing with coal, the flame temperature and heat flux values are very close to base test of 100% coal firing. However, beyond 10% by weight of PW co-firing with coal, the flame temperature and heat flux values were increased significantly from 100% coal tests. This is because of higher calorific value of PW than coal. The CO emission was decreased with increase in PW proportion in coal but at 30% of PW in coal, CO emission was increased suddenly. However, NO and SO₂ concentrations were decreased up to 8% and 16% respectively with increase in PW proportion in coal due to lower fuel nitrogen and sulphur content in PW than coal. Analytical analysis of slagging indices suggest that the slagging potential for PW co-firing with coal is increasing as the PW proportion in coal increases.     

Numerical modeling of the gasification based biomass co-firing in a 600 MW pulverized coal boiler

Gasification based biomass co-firing was an attractive technology for biomass utilization. Compared to directly co-firing of biomass and coal, it might: (1) avoid feeding biomass into boiler, (2) reduce boiler fouling and corrosion problem, and (3) avoid altering ash characteristics. In this paper, CFD modeling of product gas (from biomass gasification) and coal co-firing in a 600 MW tangential PC boiler was carried out. The results showed that NO_x emission was reduced about 50–70% when the product gas was injected through the lowest layer burner. The fouling problem can be reduced with furnace temperature decreasing for co-firing case. The convection heat transfer area should be increased or the co-firing ratio of product gas should be decreased to keep boiler rated capacity.     

Co-firing Coal and Municipal Solid Waste

Abstract

The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate how different the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) or municipal solid waste (MSW) utilizing strategies affects the gas emission in simple fluidized bed combustion (FBC) of biomass. In this study, ground OFMSW and pulverized coal (PC) were used for co-firing tests. The tests were carried out in a bench-scale bubbling FBC. Coal and bio-waste fuels are quite different in composition. Ash composition of the bio-waste fuels is fundamentally different from ash composition of the coal. Chlorine (Cl) in the MSW may affect operation by corrosion. Ash deposits reduce heat transfer and also may result in severe corrosion at high temperatures. Nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) assessments can play an important role in a strategy to control carbon dioxide (CO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NO_x) emissions while raising revenue. Regulations such as subsidies for oil, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for natural gas powered vehicles, and renewables, especially biomass lines, to reduce emissions may be more cost-effective than assessments. Research and development (R&D) resources are driven by energy policy goals and can change the competitiveness of renewables, especially solid waste. The future supply of co-firing depends on energy prices and technical progress, both of which are driven by energy policy priorities.     

An evaluation of biomass co-firing in Europe

Reduction of the emissions of greenhouses gases, increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the energy balance, increasing electricity production from renewable energy sources and decreasing energy dependency represent the main goals of all current strategies in Europe. Biomass co-firing in large coal-based thermal power plants provides a considerable opportunity to increase the share of RES in the primary energy balance and the share of electricity from RES in gross electricity consumption in a country. Biomass-coal co-firing means reducing CO₂ and SO₂, emissions and it may also reduce NO_x emissions, and also represents a near-term, low-risk, low-cost and sustainable energy development. Biomass-coal co-firing is the most effective measure to reduce CO₂ emissions, because it substitutes coal, which has the most intensive CO₂ emissions per kWh electricity production, by biomass, with a zero net emission of CO₂. Biomass co-firing experience worldwide are reviewed in this paper. Biomass co-firing has been successfully demonstrated in over 150 installations worldwide for most combinations of fuels and boiler types in the range of 50–700 MWe, although a number of very small plants have also been involved. More than a hundred of these have been in Europe. A key indicator for the assessment of biomass co-firing is intrduced and used to evaluate all available biomass co-firing technologies.     

Assessing plantation biomass for co-firing with coal in northern Indiana: A linear programming approach

Tightening environmental regulations and the signing of the Kyoto Protocol have prompted electric utilities to consider co-firing biomass with coal to reduce the levels of CO₂, SO₂, and NO_x in stack emissions. This analysis examines the cost competitiveness of plantation produced woody biomass and waste wood with coal in electricity production. A case study of woody biomass production and co-firing in northern Indiana is presented. A Salix (willow) production budget was created to assess the feasibility of plantation tree production to supply biomass to the utility for fuel blending. Co-firing with waste wood from primary and secondary wood processing activities and local municipalities also is considered. A linear programming model was developed to examine the optimal co-firing blend of coal and biomass while minimizing variable cost, including the cost of ash disposal and material procurement costs. This model was used to examine situations where coal is the primary fuel and waste wood, willow trees, or both are available for fuel blending. The results indicate that co-firing woody biomass is cost-effective for the power plant. Sensitivity analysis explored the effect of waste wood prices on co-firing cost.     

Influence of coal co-firing on the particulate matter formation during pulverized biomass combustion

Biomass is regarded as CO₂-neutral, while the high contents of potassium and chlorine in biomass induce severe particulate matter emission, ash deposition, and corrosion in combustion facilities. Co-firing biomass with coal in pulverized-combustion (PC) furnaces is able to solve these problems, as well as achieve a much higher generating efficiency than grate furnaces. In this work, the particulate matter (PM) emission from biomass co-firing with coal was studied in an entrained flow reactor at a temperature of 1623 K simulating PC furnace condition. PMs were sampled through a 13-stage impactor, and their morphology and elemental composition were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. SO₂ emissions were measured to interpret the possibility of potassium sulfation during co-firing. Results show that PMs from the separated combustion of both biomass and coal present a bimodal particle size distribution (PSD). The concentration and size of fine-mode submicron particles (PM_1.0) from biomass combustion are much higher than those from coal combustion because of the high potassium content in biomass. For the co-firing cases, with the coal ratio increasing from 0% to 50%, the PM_1.0 yield is reduced by more than half and the PM_1.0 size becomes smaller, in contrast, the concentration of coarse-mode particles with the size of 1.0–10 μm (PM_1.0-10) increases. The measured PM_1.0 yields of co-firing are lower than the theoretically weight-averaged ones, which proves that during the biomass and coal co-firing in PC furnaces, the vaporized potassium from biomass can be efficiently captured by these silicon-aluminate oxides in coal ash. In the studied range of coal co-firing ratio (≤50 wt.%), the chlorides and sulfates of alkali metals from biomass burning are the dominating components in PM_1.0, and a certain amount of silicon is observed in PM_0.1-1. The analysis of chemical composition in PM_1.0, together with that of SO₂ emission, indicates a marginal sulfation of alkali metal chloride occurring at high temperatures in PC furnaces.     

Co-firing switchgrass in a 60-megawatt pulverized coal-fired boiler: Effects on combustion behavior and pollutant emissions

Switchgrass was co-fired with coal in an industrial scale boiler to investigate the co-firing effects on boiler performance and pollutant emissions. Comparing with firing coal alone, co-firing with switchgrass slightly lowered boiler efficiency by 0.6 to 1% under full-load and low-load conditions, respectively. Net carbon dioxide and SO₂ emissions were reduced with co-firing. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions were similar with co-firing to firing coal alone under both high and low loading amounts of switchgrass. Varying the nitrogen content by changing switchgrass type and harvest time revealed no significant effect on NOx emission in the range of tested conditions.     

Synergy effects of co-firing wooden biomass with Bosnian coal

The paper presents synergy effects found during the co-firing of wooden biomass with Bosnian coal types in an experimental reactor. The co-firing tests used spruce sawdust in combination with Kakanj brown coal and a lignite blend of Dubrave lignite and Sikulje lignite. Coal/biomass mixtures at 93:7 and 80:20 wt% were fired in a 20 kW pulverized fuel (PF) entrained flow reactor. Over 20 test trials were performed to investigate ash deposition behavior and emissions under different conditions, varying the process temperature, excess air ratio, and air distribution. During the tests, the temperature in the experimental facility varied between 880 and 1550 °C, while the excess air ratio varied between 0.95 and 1.4. There was sufficient combustion efficiency under all co-firing regimes, with burning out at 96.5–99.5% for brown coal–sawdust co-firing. Synergy effects were detected for all co-firing regimes with regard to SO₂ emission, as well for slagging at the process temperature suitable for the slag tap furnace. CO₂ emissions were also calculated for the blends tested and significant reductions of CO₂ found, due to the very low ranking of Bosnian coals.     

Experimental measurements for torrefied biomass Co-combustion in a 1 MWth pulverized coal-fired furnace

Biogenic residues upgraded by torrefaction are well suited for co-firing in existing thermal power plants due to their increased net calorific value, their improved grindability and their good characteristics regarding storage and transport. In this work, torrefied and pelletized biomass (coniferous wood sawdust) and hard coal (Columbian Calenturitas) were co-combusted in a 1 MW_th pulverized coal-fired furnace. The mixture of both fuels (torrefied biomass and hard coal) was co-grinded at two ratios with a thermal share of biomass of 3.8% and 7.3% using the same coal mill. For comparison purpose, experiments on pure hard coal combustion (only coal) were carried out, too. Despite torrefaction, the throughput of the mill was sharply reduced at higher biomass shares and the average grain size of pulverized fuel was increased. However, both fuel blends were co-combusted without any difficulty. Compared to mono-combustion of the hard coal, no significant differences were detected, neither in the flue gas emissions nor in the char burnout. Gas measurements in the flame profile show higher levels of released volatile matter close to the burner, resulting in a higher oxygen demand.     

Optimizing a woodchip and coal co-firing retrofit for a power utility boiler using CFD

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool, CFX-TASCflow, with a drag force sub-model for woodchip particles was used to explore the optimization of woodchip co-firing of a Canadian utility boiler, after it was first validated by comparing the model results with field operation data when firing Colombia coal. The CFD model predicted both a small increase in NO emissions and a significant increase in unburned carbon in fly ash for the originally proposed co-firing configuration, with 85% of the unburned carbon originating from the woodchips. Improvement strategies were examined, including intensifying the swirl inside the furnace to improve oxygen availability for woodchip combustion, lowering the woodchip injection level to increase residence time, and reducing woodchip particle size to shorten burnout time. The model results revealed the importance of intensified swirl on the burnout of large woodchip particles and the sensitivity of NO emissions to the air distribution in the combustion zone. Also, the model predicted an increase in large unburned woodchip particles falling into the bottom hopper when lowering woodchip injection level, although there was an overall improvement in predicted woodchip burnout. An improvement in woodchip burnout was also observed with reduced woodchip particle size. Based on these results, a co-firing strategy is suggested that is predicted to give reasonable burnout and NOx emissions at a minimum retrofitting cost.     

Evaluation of the influence of biomass co-combustion on boiler furnace slagging by means of fusibility correlations

In order to show the influence of co-firing biomass with bituminous coal on ash properties, calculations of fusibility correlations have been carried out. Two Upper Silesian coals (with lower—LS and higher—HS slagging inclination) were chosen for emphasizing the influence of basic fuel. Four kinds of biomass were considered: straw, wood, dried sewage sludge and bone meal. Chemical constitutions of the mineral matter as well as the results of calculations are presented in Tables 2–5. The general conclusion is that co-firing biomass increases the fireside slagging hazard. The most difficult additional fuels are sludge and bone meal.     

Co-firing of coal and biomass fuel blends

This paper reviews literature on co-firing of coal with biomass fuels. Here, the term biomass includes organic matter produced as a result of photosynthesis as well as municipal, industrial and animal waste material. Brief summaries of the basic concepts involved in the combustion of coal and biomass fuels are presented. Different classes of co-firing methods are identified. Experimental results for a large variety of fuel blends and conditions are presented. Numerical studies are also discussed. Biomass and coal blend combustion is a promising combustion technology; however, significant development work is required before large-scale implementation can be realized. Issues related to successful implementation of coal biomass blend combustion are identified.     

生物质与煤混烧灰的熔融性实验研究

为解决生物质与煤混燃存在的结渣积灰问题.以稻秸秆、白杨木屑、稻壳和煤在不同配比下混合燃烧的灰分作为研究对象,利用HR-3C灰熔融性测定仪研究了生物质与煤混合燃烧的熔融特性.研究表明:生物质燃料中碱金属含量比煤中的含量要高,提高生物质的掺入比总体上会使灰熔融温度降低;此外,对于二氧化硅含量不同的生物质燃料其灰熔融性有所差...     

Biomass co-firing options on the emission reduction and electricity generation costs in coal-fired power plants

Co-firing offers a near-term solution for reducing CO₂ emissions from conventional fossil fuel power plants. Viable alternatives to long-term CO₂ reduction technologies such as CO₂ sequestration, oxy-firing and carbon loop combustion are being discussed, but all of them remain in the early to mid stages of development. Co-firing, on the other hand, is a well-proven technology and is in regular use though does not eliminate CO₂ emissions entirely. An incremental gain in CO₂ reduction can be achieved by immediate implementation of biomass co-firing in nearly all coal-fired power plants with minimum modifications and moderate investment, making co-firing a near-term solution for the greenhouse gas emission problem. If a majority of coal-fired boilers operating around the world adopt co-firing systems, the total reduction in CO₂ emissions would be substantial. It is the most efficient means of power generation from biomass, and it thus offers CO₂ avoidance cost lower than that for CO₂ sequestration from existing power plants. The present analysis examines several co-firing options including a novel option external (indirect) firing using combustion or gasification in an existing coal or oil fired plant. Capital and operating costs of such external units are calculated to determine the return on investment. Two of these indirect co-firing options are analyzed along with the option of direct co-firing of biomass in pulverizing mills to compare their operational merits and cost advantages with the gasification option.     

Technoeconomic assessment of beetle kill biomass co-firing in existing coal fired power plants in the Western United States

Widespread mortality of forests in the western United States due to a bark beetle epidemic provides a source of biomass for power generation. This study assessed availability and economics of co-firing beetle kill biomass with coal in power plants in the western U.S. Since biomass may be considered carbon neutral under careful management, co-combustion of biomass with coal provides power plants a way to meet emission reduction requirements, such as those in the EPA Clean Power Plan (CPP). Cost has been a barrier to co-firing, but the economics are altered by emission reduction requirements, such as CPP guidelines. The present study assessed beetle kill biomass availability in national forests in Wyoming and Colorado through Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) data. Power plants near beetle kill mortality were identified as candidates for co-firing. An economic assessment of costs to implement co-firing was conducted. Co-firing reduces the need for the USFS to manage beetle kill trees when they are harvested for energy use, and these mitigated treatment costs were considered as an effective subsidy of co-firing. The results of this analysis include beetle kill availability, costs, and annual CO₂ emissions reductions that can be met by co-firing.     

Full-scale co-firing trial tests of sawdust and bio-waste in pulverized coal-fired 230 t/h steam boiler

Co-firing trial tests of sawdust and bio-waste coming from cereal production with hard coal were carried out at Skawina Power Plant in Poland (1532 MW in fuel, currently belonging to CEZ Group). Skawina Power Plant is a tangentially-fired pulverized coal unit with nine boilers (4 boilers of 210 t/h and five boilers of 230 t/h live steam respectively) that produces 590 MW electricity and 618 MW of heat (district heating and process steam).The paper presents an analysis of energy and ecological effects of sawdust and bio-waste co-firing in the existing pulverized hard coal boiler. The mixture of coal and biomass was blended in the coal yard, and fed into the boiler through the coal mills. During the tests, combustion of mixtures composed of hard coal and sawdust (with mass share of 9.5%) and hard coal – bio-waste (6.6% mass basis) were examined. The co-firing tests were successful. Based on the analysis of the test results, the influence of biomass co-firing on specific components of energy balance (e.g. stack losses and boiler thermal efficiency) was discussed, in comparison to combustion of coal alone. The emission indices during coal combustion were calculated and compared to the emission indices for biomass co-firing. It was proved that co-firing of both biomass sorts leads to a decrease of CO and SO₂ emissions. Due to the possibility of considering the part of the energy generated during biomass co-firing as renewable energy, the procedure for biomass based renewable energy share determination is presented and illustrated with an example.     

生物质与煤混合燃烧成灰特性研究进展

基于能源与环境的双重压力以及生物质与煤单独燃用存在的问题,生物质与煤混燃已成为一种发展趋势.生物质与煤混燃存在的结渣积灰等问题制约着混燃技术的推广利用,因此研究生物质与煤混合燃烧的成灰特性具有现实意义.文章详细介绍了生物质与煤混合燃烧成灰特性的影响因素和分析方法,认为温度是影响生物质与煤混合燃烧成灰特性的主要因素;生物质与煤的混合比例对灰渣成分有一定影响,但二者间不存在明显的线性关系.燃料中的碱金属、氯、硫是引起结渣积灰的主要物质.由于生物质与煤的成灰特性相近,只是灰渣成分的含量差异较大,因此可以利用已有的煤结渣特性研究成果,分析混燃的成灰特性,但须要考虑生物质灰分的特征.     

Numerical study on coal/ammonia co-firing in a 600 MW utility boiler

Co-firing NH₃ in coal-fired power plants is an attractive method to accelerate the pace of global decarbonization. However, the contradiction between achieving elevated temperature within the furnace and maintaining low NO_x emission constrains the utilization of NH₃ as fuel. In this study, 3-dimensional numerical simulations on coal/NH₃ co-firing cases were conducted in a full-scale boiler for the first time. The influences of NH₃ blending ratio, O₂ enrichment combustion and deep air-staging technology were investigated. The results show that the burnout properties of NH₃ are excellent in co-firing boiler. Higher NH₃ blending ratio leads to lower temperature in the furnace. Enriching O₂ concentration to 30% in the secondary air can compensate the temperature decline caused by 50% NH₃ co-firing, while it brings an undesired surge in NO_x concentrations. The high temperature and strong reducing atmosphere (HT&SRA) could be created by combining the O₂ enrichment and deep air-staging combustion. The NO emission drops by 49.6% due to HT&SRA. Then, high flue gas temperature and low NO_x emission can be achieved simultaneously. HT&SRA improves the overall exergy efficiency for 50% NH₃ co-firing case from 51.65% to 51.78%. The findings open up a promising strategy for utilizing NH₃ as a stationary fuel.     

Technological aspects of sunflower biomass and brown coal co-firing

The technological problems occurring in the co-firing of biomass and brown coal (lignite) prompted this research project. During the fuel preparation, accidental self-ignition and explosions were several times reported by power plants operators. The aim of this study was to evaluate brown coal, sunflower husks and sunflower husk pellets as fuels for co-firing in energetic boilers. Sunflower husk had a lower ash content and calorific value than the pellets. The range of the combustion temperatures of the biomass (200–300 °C) was narrower than that of brown coal (200–800 °C). The formation of highly alkaline ash from the biomass resulted in the formation in boiler of agglomerates of ash. The elemental composition, thermogravimetric and biological analyses suggested that the pellets contained synthetic additives difficult to identify. The biological method was proposed for evaluating biomass additives. The use of additional agents in the pelletizing process may influence on the combustion parameters. Mixing biomass with brown coal may occasionally result in self-ignition in the logistic chain. Plastic additives and biological activity may contribute to self-ignition.     

玉米秸秆与煤掺烧锅炉运行性能分析

基于ASPEN PLUS软件,对玉米秸秆与煤的掺烧过程进行建模与模拟,研究在不同的生物质掺混比例及含水率下,锅炉运行性能以及污染物排放的变化规律。结果表明:与单独燃烧煤粉相比,随着掺烧比例的增大,生成的理论烟气量和烟气热损失增大,锅炉效率有所降低,气体污染物NO及SO2减少;随着生物质含水率的增大,NO的排放量减少,而SO2的排放量增加。