Experimental study on effects of operating conditions and fuel quality on thermal efficiency and emission performance of a 300-MW boiler unit firing Thai lignite

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on a 300-MW boiler unit fired with Thai lignite. Effects of operating conditions (excess air ratio and unit load) and fuel quality on the boiler heat losses and thermal efficiency as well as on the gaseous (CO₂, CO, NO_x and SO₂) and particulate matter (PM) emissions from the boiler unit are discussed. The boiler thermal efficiency was weakly affected by the excess air ratio, unit load and fuel lower heating value, varying from 90.3 to 92.3% for wide ranges of the above variables. In all the tests, the NO_x, SO₂ and PM emissions were below the national emission standards for these pollutants. Quite low level of the SO₂ emission was secured by the high-efficiency flue gas desulphurization system. The CO emissions of rather small values were detected only at extremely low excess air ratios. The emission rate and specific emission (i.e. per MWh of electricity produced) for NO_x, SO₂ and CO were quantified using experimental emission concentrations of the pollutants. Meanwhile, the emission characteristics for CO₂ were determined with the use of fuel-C and fuel consumption by the boiler. In addition, the emission rate and specific emission for PM were estimated by taking into account the actual fuel-ash content and fuel consumption by the boiler, as well as the effects of SO₂ adsorption by fly ash in the boiler gas ducts and overall ash-collecting efficiency of the electrostatic precipitators and flue gas desulphurization system. Elevated CO₂ and NO_x emissions from the 300-MW boiler units firing Thai lignite are of great concern.     

Minimizing fuel and environmental costs for a variable-load power plant (co-)firing fuel oil and natural gas: Part 1. Modeling of gaseous emissions from boiler units

This work was aimed at modeling of major gaseous emissions (NO_x, SO₃, SO₂, CO₂) from boiler units of a power plant firing (or co-firing) fuel oil and natural gas for variable operating conditions (load and load-related variables: excess air, flue gas recirculation, etc.). The emission rate of the pollutants for the co-firing was estimated for a particular boiler using these characteristics for the burning of each fuel in the boiler on its own and taking into account energy fractions (contributions) of fuel oil and natural gas to the boiler heat input. The gaseous emissions (in terms of emission concentrations, emission rates and specific emissions) from a 200-MW boiler unit firing low-S fuel oil and from a 310-MW boiler unit firing (or co-firing) medium-S fuel oil and natural gas were estimated and compared for 50–100% unit loads based on actual fuel properties and load-related operating variables of these units. Upper limit for the energy fraction of medium-S fuel oil was determined for the 310-MW boiler unit co-firing the two fuels with the aim to meet the national emission standard for SO₂.     

Assessment of trace gases,carbon and nitrogen emissions from field burning of agricultural residues in India

Field burning of crop residue (FBCR) is becoming a growing environmental concern in developing countries. In this instance, a comprehensive crop-wise and spatially distributed study on the FBCR emissions from India for the period 1980 through 2010 have been undertaken, that covers: residue generation, its types, use pattern, and estimates of carbon, nitrogen, CH₄, CO, N₂O and NO_X emissions; along with associated uncertainties. FBCR contributed about 44 and 14% of the non-biofuel biomass and total biomass burning, respectively in India in the year 2000. The total dry residue generated are estimated as 217, 239 and 253 Tg, of which 45, 60 and 63 Tg of dry biomass are estimated to be subjected to FBCR in the years 1994, 2005 and 2010, respectively. Wheat and rice crops together accounted for about 76% of this. Burning of such huge amount of biomass is estimated to emit 22.4, 24.4 and 26.1 Tg of carbon; 0.30, 0.33 and 0.35 Tg of nitrogen; 4.18, 4.59 and 4.86 Tg carbon dioxide equivalent of greenhouse gases (GHG, viz., CH₄ and N₂O; which is over 1% of the Indian agriculture sector GHG emissions); 2951, 3,240 and 3,431 Gg of CO; and 120.8, 132.9 and 140.6 Gg NO_x emissions in 1994, 2005 and 2010, respectively. Further, the Indian states of U.P, Punjab, Haryana, M.P, Maharashtra, T.N, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and W.B have been found to contribute maximum to the Indian FBCR emissions. FBCR avoidance and optimum utilization of crop-residue resource is urgently required for agro-ecosystem sustainability in the region.     

Fine particle and trace element emissions from an anthracite coal-fired power plant equipped with a bag-house in China

Fine particle and trace element emissions from energy production are associated with significant adverse human health effects. In this investigation, the fine particles and trace elements emitted from the combustion of pulverized anthracite coal at a 220 MW power plant were determined experimentally in the size range from 30 nm to 10 μm with 12 channels. The particulate size distributions and morphological characteristics before and after the bag-house were evaluated. The uncontrolled and controlled emission factors of particles are compared with the calculated values from the US Environment Protection Agency, AP-42. Size-classified relative enrichment factors of As, Hg, Se, Cd, Cr, Cu, Al, V, Zn, Mn, Fe were obtained. Relative distributions of trace elements between bottom ash, fly ash and flue gas are determined by mass balance method. The bag-house collection efficiencies of particles and trace elements in the particulate phase are obtained. Finally, the controlled and uncontrolled emission factors of elements of different particulate size fractions are obtained, which will provide useful information for PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ emission inventory development, toxic and hazardous pollutant emission estimates and emission standards established for metal-based pollutants from a pulverized coal-fired boiler.     

Combustion performance and emissions of petrodiesel and biodiesels based on various vegetable oils in a semi industrial boiler

This paper intends to investigate combustion of petrodiesel and biodiesels of grape seed, corn, sunflower, soybean, olive and rice bran oils, which were produced through an alkali-based transesterification, in a non-pressurized, water-cooled combustion chamber by determining its combustion performance and gas emissions (CO, CO₂, NO_x, SO₂). First, the influence of fuel pressure which related to the rate of sprayed fuel to the chamber was studied in order to find out an optimum combustion pressure. In the next level, the influence of A/F upon emissions and boiler performances at 13.79 bars was studied. Results show that similar combustion of fuels occurred at 13.79 bars (optimum) where due to the increase in fuel pressure, the effect of viscous forces in flame formation disappeared. Complete combustion of fuels occurred at 19.305 bars where the CO emissions of all the fuels reached to zero.The overall performance of the boiler obtained with the methyl esters and petrodiesel are comparable for the defined operating points (especially at high energy rates and low A/F). All the six kinds of vegetable based methyl ester emitted lower emissions than petrodiesel over the wide fuel pressures, and A/F. Meanwhile, biodiesels emitted higher amounts of NO_x than petrodiesel. Biodiesels also emitted higher amounts of CO than petrodiesel at low fuel pressures when the viscous forces interfered with proper distributions of fuels to the combustion chamber.     

Petrology and minor element chemistry of combustion by-products from the co-combustion of coal,tire-derived fuel,and petroleum coke at a western Kentucky cyclone-fired unit

A western Kentucky power plant conducted a series of test burns with coal+tire-derived fuel (tdf) and coal+tire-derived fuel+petroleum coke blends. Collections of fuel, fly ash, and bottom ash/slag were made from the cyclone-fired unit under four fuel combinations: coal, coal+ca. 1% tdf, coal+ca. 3% tdf, and coal+ca. 3% tdf+petroleum coke. Fly ash carbons derived from the three fuel types can be distinguished, allowing an assessment of the impact of co-combustion on fly ash quality. While certain aspects of the ash chemistry are distinctive, Zn increasing in tdf-derived fly ash and Ni and V increasing in petroleum coke-derived fly ash, changes in the coal source between sampling dates complicate the assessment of the chemistry.     

锅炉型煤粘结剂的选择及试验

采用粘土和煤泥作粘结剂制造锅炉型煤,各物质所占比例分别为煤泥75%,原煤18%,粘土7%;燃烧型煤后,锅炉温度和单位时间的产气量高于燃烧块煤和原煤,且炉渣和飞灰中的含碳量及排放的CO含量明显降低,不但对环境的污染减少,而且煤炭利用率提高。     

PCDD/PCDF emissions from co-combustion of coal and PVC in a bubbling fluidised bed boiler

This paper reports on the results obtained in the study of the co-combustion of PVC with hard coal from South Africa in a 0,5 MW_th Bubbling Fluidised Bed Boiler. The research has included the study of the effect of combustion temperature, fluidisation velocity and PVC content. The addition of urea to the raw fuel, as a dioxin-preventing compound has also been evaluated. Results have been analysed in terms of combustion efficiency, major pollutants emission (NO_x, CO), and PCDD/Fs formation in the flue gas and in the fly ash. Under the experimental conditions tested, co-combustion of coal and PVC has proved to be feasible from the combustion efficiency and emission of PCDD/Fs points of view, whose levels remained below limits set by existing legislation on persistent organic pollutants. The addition of solid urea to the fuel blend reduces the amount of chlorinated compounds emitted. However, it has a negative impact on nitrogen pollutants formation     

Investigation of the flow, combustion, heat-transfer and emissions from a 609 MW utility tangentially fired pulverized-coal boiler

A numerical approach is given to investigate the performance of a 609 MW tangentially fired pulverized-coal boiler, with emphasis on formation mechanism of gas flow deviation and uneven wall temperature in crossover pass and on NO_x emission. To achieve this purpose and obtain a reliable solution, some different strategies with the existing researches are used. Good agreement of simulation results with design parameters and site operation records indicates this simulation is pretty reasonable and thus the conclusions of the gas flow deviation, emissions, combustion and heat transfer are reliable. These conclusions can be used to guide the design and operation of boilers of similar types.     

Trace elements (Mn,Cr, Pb,Se, Zn,Cd and Hg) in emissions from a pulverized coal boiler

The concentrations of seven trace elements (Mn, Cr, Pb, Se, Zn, Cd, Hg) in raw coal, bottom ash and fly ash were measured quantitatively in a 220 tons/h pulverized coal boiler. Factors affecting distribution of trace elements were investigated, including fly ash diameter, furnace temperature, oxygen concentration and trace elements' characteristics. Modified enrichment factors show more directly element enrichment in combustion products. The studied elements may be classified into three groups according to their emission features: Group 1: Hg, which is very volatile. Group 2: Pb, Zn, Cd, which are partially volatile. Group 3: Mn, which is hardly volatile. Se may be located between groups 1 and 2. Cr has properties of both Groups 1 and 3. The smaller the diameter of fly ash, the higher is the relative enrichment of trace elements (except Mn). Fly ash shows different adsorption mechanisms of trace elements and the volatilization of trace elements rises with furnace temperature. Relative enrichments of trace elements (except Mn and Cr) in fly ash are larger than that in bottom ash. Low oxygen concentration will not always improve the volatilization of trace elements. Pb forms chloride more easily than Cd during coal combustion.     

Design and analysis of a diesel processing unit for a molten carbonate fuel cell for auxiliary power unit applications

Fuel cell-based auxiliary power units (APUs) are a promising technology for meeting global energy needs in an environmentally friendly way. This study uses diesel containing sulfur components such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a feed. The sulfur tolerance of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) modules is not more than 0.5 ppm, as sulfur can poison the fuel cell and degrade the performance of the fuel cell module. The raw diesel feed in this study contains 10 ppm DBT, and its sulfur concentration should be reduced to 0.1 ppm. After desulfurization, the feed goes through several unit operations, including steam reforming, water-gas shift, and gas purification. Finally, hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell module, where it generates 500 kW of electrical energy. The entire process, with 52% and 89% fuel cell and overall system efficiencies, respectively, is rigorously simulated using Aspen HYSYS, and the results are input into a techno-economic analysis to calculate the minimum electricity selling price (MESP). The electricity cost for this MCFC-based APU was calculated as 1.57$/kWh. According to predictions, the cost reductions for fuel cell stacks will afford electricity selling prices of 1.51$/kWh in 2020 and 1.495$/kWh in 2030. Based on a sensitivity analysis, the diesel price and capital cost were found to have the strongest impact on the MESP.     

Study of the influence of vane angle on flow, gas species, temperature, and char burnout in a 200 MWe lignite-fired boiler

We measured various operational parameters of a 200-MW_e, wall-fired, lignite utility boiler under various outer secondary air vane angles. The parameters measured were gas temperature, gas species concentrations, char burnout, and component release rates (C, H and N). Cold air experiments of a single burner were conducted in the laboratory. A double swirl flow pulverized-coal burner has a single ring recirculation zone that forms in the secondary air region in the burner. By decreasing vane angles, maximum values of radial velocity, tangential velocity and turbulence intensity all increase. Moreover, swirl intensity of air flow and recirculation zone size increase. Concomitantly, in the central region of the burner, decreasing the vane angles of outer secondary air increases gas temperatures, CO concentrations, char burnout and component release rates of C, H, and N, while O₂ and NO_x concentrations decrease, and an early ignition of pulverized-coal occurs. Meanwhile, in the secondary air region of the burner, conditions are similar except that NO_x mean concentrations are reversed showing instead an increase. In the side wall region, gas temperatures increase, O₂ and NO_x concentrations decrease, but CO concentrations vary only slightly.     

660MW燃煤锅炉细微颗粒物中次量与痕量元素的分布特性

应用承重撞击器(DGI)采样系统在南昌某电厂2^#锅炉电除尘器前进行颗粒物采集,并同时采集了原煤样和底灰样。对飞灰的质量粒径分布、底灰和飞灰中次量与痕量元素的分布特性进行了分析。结果表明PM_1.0和PM_2.5质量分别占PM₁₀质量的16.0%~17.4%和46.9%~50.6%;Na、Mg、P、S主要富集在亚微米颗粒物中,Al、Si、Ca、Ti、Fe、K主要富集在超微米颗粒物中;随着颗粒物粒径的减小,As、Cd、Cr、Pb的浓度逐渐增大,且在亚微米颗粒物中的增幅大于超微米颗粒物,Mn在各级颗粒物中浓度相近;As、Cd、Cr、Pb大量富集于亚微米颗粒物之上,Mn在各级颗粒物中富集特性无明显差异,且各痕量元素挥发特性存在以下规律:As>Cd>Cr>Pb>Mn;文中给出了无控制条件下痕量元素的排放因子,PM_1.0中各元素排放比例存在以下规律:As>Cd>Cr>Pb>Mn。     

Trace element compositions of coal,shale, and petroleum from various sedimentary basins

The concentrations of trace elements in caustobioliths from particular deposits in various coal, shale, and oil-and-gas bearing basins with different ages of bearing deposits and geostructural types are considered. The degrees of trace element concentration by the caustobioliths and their mineral matter were calculated with reference to Clarke numbers in clay rocks. Typomorphic trace elements were separated, and trace elements were classified by concentration factors in caustobioliths from deposits in platform and geosynclinal basins. Considerable differences in the characters of concentration of typomorphic elements in these caustobioliths were revealed.     

Influence of outer secondary-air vane angle on combustion characteristics and NOx emissions of a down-fired pulverized-coal 300 MWe utility boiler

Industrial experiments were performed on a down-fired pulverized-coal 300 MWe utility boiler with swirl burners. Gas temperature, concentrations of gas components (O₂, CO, CO₂ and NO_x) in the burning region and carbon content in the fly ash were measured with outer secondary-air vane angles of 25°, 32.5° and 50°. Results indicate that with increasing vane angle, NO_x emission and boiler efficiency decrease. Overall evaluation boiler efficiency and NO_x emission, the vane angle of 32.5° is optimum. Using an IFA300 constant-temperature anemometer system, cold air experiments on a quarter-scaled burner model were also carried out to investigate the influence of various outer secondary-air vane angles on the flow characteristics in the burner nozzle region. No central recirculation zone appeared for vane angles of 25° and 32.5°. Most of the pulverized-coal was ignited in the external recirculation zone. For vane angles of 45° and 55°, a central recirculation zone could be observed, and air flow rigidity and axial velocities decreased rapidly.     

Numerical investigation of NOx emissions from a tangentially-fired utility boiler under conventional and overfire air operation

A CFD investigation has been carried out about the performance of a 600 MW_e tangentially coal-fired boiler, focusing on the reduction of NO_x attainable by using overfire air. To this purpose, a comprehensive combination of NO_x chemistry models has been used, coupled with the numerical simulation of fluid and particle flow, solid fuel combustion and heat and mass transfer. Predicted values of gas temperature and species concentration have been adopted to validate the model against actual measurements from the full-scale boiler, under conventional and overfire air arrangements. A reasonable agreement has been attained in most cases. Additionally, modelling sensitivity has been evaluated against variations in some fuel-dependent parameters hard to measure or estimate (devolatilisation rates, nitrogen content in volatiles and char, reburning rates). As a result, an analysis tool is available to study the response of this kind of boilers to a variety of coal feedstock and combustion conditions, in a feasible and economic manner.     

Methods for measuring the concentrations of SO2, and of gaseous reduced sulphur compounds in the combustion chamber of a circulating fluidized bed boiler

The present work was aimed at developing and improving methods for measurement of gaseous sulphur compounds in the combustion chamber of a fluidized bed boiler (FBB). The sampling of SO₂ was improved by removing NH₃ and H₂O with a sorbent immediately after the probe. The concentration of reduced sulphur species was determined by means of two conventional SO₂ analyzers and an intermediate converter, where the reduced species are oxidized to SO₂. Gas phase sulphides were also sampled with a gas quenching probe by means of a basic solution which was subsequently analysed by wet chemistry. The methods were tested during coal combustion in a 12 MW circulating FBB without limestone for two cases of air‐staging.     

Characterization of a method for aerosol generation from heavy fuel oil (HFO) as an alternative to emissions from ship diesel engines

This work describes a laboratory method to synthesize aerosols with properties similar to those emitted by ocean going ships. In this method, an oxy-hydrogen flame burner nebulizes and combusts heavy fuel oil (HFO). The oil was fed to the burner via a syringe pump at a maximum rate of 15 ml/h. Adjusting the feed temperature of the oil and the use of a quenching ring in the burner, it is possible to obtain an aerosol with a mode diameter of about 11 nm. This is close to the reported 5–8 nm for the nano-mode of ship emissions. Filter samples were also analyzed for elemental carbon, organic carbon and anion composition. No elemental carbon mass was detected and only a few sulfur containing compounds were present. A chemical equilibrium model was applied for both oxy-hydrogen flame and 2-stroke ship diesel engine combustion conditions to predict equilibrium concentrations, chemical formula and phase of vanadium and nickel containing compounds. The model confirmed that the real-world ship diesel engine and the oxy-hydrogen flame burner combustion processes produced the same vanadium, nickel and sulfur particulate matter (PM) products in terms of chemical formula and phase. Both the 5–8 nm particles from real-world ship emissions and the laboratory synthesized particles contain transition metals. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of laboratory synthesized particles show similar morphology to those sampled from a ship. Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) measurement indicates that neither laboratory generated nor ship emitted aerosol is hygroscopic. To our knowledge, this is the first time the 5–8 nm particles emitted from ships have been aptly synthesized on a laboratory scale.     

Experimental investigation of fuel properties, engine performance, combustion and emissions of blends containing croton oil, butanol, and diesel on a CI engine

Emission problems associated with the use of fossil fuels have led to numerous research projects on the use of renewable fuels. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of blends containing croton mogalocarpus oil (CRO)-Butanol (BU) alcohol-diesel (D2) on engine performance, combustion, and emission characteristics. Samples investigated were 15%CRO-5%BU-80%D2, 10%CRO-10%BU-80%D2, and diesel fuel (D2) as a baseline. The density, viscosity, cetane number CN, and contents of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen were measured according to ASTM standards. A four cylinder turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine was used for the tests. It was observed that brake specific energy consumption (BSEC) of blends was found to be high when compared with that of D2 fuel. Butanol containing blends show peak cylinder pressure and heat release rate comparable to that of D2 on higher engine loads. Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and smoke emissions of the BU blends were lower in comparison to D2 fuel.     

Synthesis of carbon embedded silica and zeolite from rice husk to remove trace element from aqueous solutions: characterization,optimization and equilibrium studies

ABSTRACT

Carbon embedded silica (CES) and zeolite (Z-RHA) from rice husk (RH) were manufactured to remove As (V) from aqueous solution. Characterization of newly manufactured adsorbents and adsorption study onto As (V) was conducted. Subsequently, effect of different parameters was investigated along with isotherms and kinetic models. Langmuir and Pseudo-first-order models were best fitted and adsorption was at definite localized sites with homogeneous enthalpies and sorption activation energy. The easy and green manufacturing process along with significant As (V) removal capacity of CES (96%) and Z-RHA (99%) makes them reliable to apply in environmental field comparing with other related adsorbents.