The effect of wood fuels on power plant availability

Markku Orjala, Janne Kärki, Pasi Vainikka

    Research output: Book/ReportReport

    Abstract

    Combustion and cofiring properties of fuels have been studied both in VTT Processes' test facilities and in industrial-scale power plant boilers. The formation of alkaline and chlorine compounds in biomass combustion and their effect on boiler fouling and corrosion have been monitored by temperature controlled deposit formation and material monitoring probes. Deposit formation monitoring at full-scale boilers provides unique information on the rate of deposit formation, the effect of sootblowing and consequent changes in heat transfer. Additionally, the data from deposit formation monitoring has been shown to correlate with boiler performance, which gives basis for studying the interrelation of: fuel blend characteristics - deposit formation - boiler performance. If biomass fuels are blended with coal or peat, following implications may be expected: increased rate of deposit formation, shorter sootblowing interval, cleaning of heat transfer surfaces in revisions may be required, bed material agglomeration (in fluidised beds), increased risk of corrosion, higher in-house power consumption, higher flue gas temperature. These factors affect operating and maintenance costs, but their effect can be reduced or even avoided with appropriate fuel blend control. By the aid of the aforementioned means, optimum share of biomass fuel in different fuel blends can be defined.
    Original languageEnglish
    Place of PublicationStockholm
    Number of pages25
    Publication statusPublished - 2003
    MoE publication typeD4 Published development or research report or study

    Publication series

    SeriesVärmeforsk rapport
    Volume842
    ISSN0282-3772

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