skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Review of fluidized bed combustion technology in the United States

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5933326

Work on fluidized bed combustion (FBC) began in the United States in the mid-1960's, with primary emphasis on industrial applications. With passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, the environmental benefits of the technology soon attracted interest. This provided the impetus for expanded effort focused on the reduced NO/sub x/ emissions resulting from lower combustion temperature and SO/sub 2/ capture by means of chemical reaction with limestone or dolomite in the fluidized bed. The oil embargo in 1973 further stimulated interest in FBC technology. Recently interest in fuel flexibility has sustained the interest in FBC in the US. Several US manufacturers presently offer atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) and circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) units for industrial applications. However, FBC for electric power generation remains in the development and demonstration phase. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) are operating a 20-MW(e) AFBC utility pilot plant and are proceeding with plans for a 160-MW(e) demonstration plant with other participants. Research on pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC) has been under way at Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire, England, at the Curtiss-Wright Pilot Plant in the US, and at other smaller test facilities. An emerging turbocharged PFBC concept will likely stimulate more near-term interest in PFBC technology for both industrial and utility applications. The major US programs and test facilities are described herein. The remaining technical uncertainties and the future outlook for the technology are also discussed. 39 refs.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5933326
Report Number(s):
CONF-850444-2; ON: DE85010565
Resource Relation:
Conference: Newer coal technologies: implications for energy and development policies in Asia and the Pacific, Honolulu, HI, USA, 17 Apr 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English