Technology options for large-scale solid-fuel combustion

Markus Hurskainen, Pasi Vainikka

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter or book articleProfessional

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this chapter, technology options for solid biomass and waste fuel utilisation in large-scale combustion plants are presented with the focus on fuel flexible technologies allowing multi-fuel operation. Fuel flexibility (the ability to use various fuels) protects power plant investment from changes in competitiveness between different fuels, which can be caused, for example, by changes in legislation. In multi-fuel operation (burning various fuels at the same time), synergies between different types of fuels can be exploited allowing higher generation efficiency also from lower-quality fuels.

    The three main combustion technologies for solid fuels are grate, fluidised-bed and pulverised-fuel combustion. Grate boilers are adaptable to various fuels but are quite sensitive to changes in fuel quality and have limited multi-fuel operation capability. Fluidised-bed boilers provide the best fuel flexibility. With circulating fluidised-bed (CFB) boilers, biomass/waste fuels can be co-fired with coal on 0–100% share. Various technologies have been developed to enable co-firing biomass with coal in pulverised coal (PC) boilers as the enormous capacity of existing PC boilers offers huge potential for increasing biomass utilisation and economic benefits compared to new stand-alone biomass/waste plants. Capital costs are reduced markedly, and the high electrical efficiency of large PC boilers and the favourable properties of coal ash can be exploited. Three different routes can be taken to utilise co-firing in PC boilers: (1) direct co-firing, (2) indirect co-firing, and (3) parallel co-firing. In addition, a PC boiler can be converted into a bubbling fluidised-bed (BFB) boiler with attractive economics.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationFuel Flexible Energy Generation
    Subtitle of host publicationSolid, Liquid and Gaseous Fuels
    EditorsJohn Oakey
    PublisherWoodhead Publishing
    Chapter7
    Pages177-199
    ISBN (Electronic)978-1-78242-399-7
    ISBN (Print)978-1-78242-378-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016
    MoE publication typeD2 Article in professional manuals or guides or professional information systems or text book material

    Publication series

    SeriesWoodhead publishing series in energy
    Volume91

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Technology options for large-scale solid-fuel combustion'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this