Review of fluidized bed combustion technology in the United States
The United States (US) initiated work in fluidized bed combustion (FBC) in the mid-1960s, 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. Several manufacturers presently offer atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) and circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) units for industrial application in the United States. 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 AFBC utility pilot plant and are proceeding with plans for a 160-MW(e) demonstration plant with other participants. Research has been under way on pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC) at Grimethorpe in South Yorkshire, England, and within the United States at the Curtiss-Wright Pilot Plant, 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; remaining technical uncertainties are discussed, and the future outlook for the technology is assessed.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6417195
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-840942-1; ON: DE85001105
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 16. ICHMT symposium on heat and mass transfer in fixed and fluidized beds, Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, 3 Sep 1984; Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Fluidized-bed combustion process evaluation and program support. Annual report, October 1979-September 1980
Fluidized bed technology: progress toward practicality
Related Subjects
FLUIDIZED-BED COMBUSTION
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
REVIEWS
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CLEAN AIR ACT
EMISSION
EPRI
FORECASTING
NITROGEN OXIDES
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SULFUR DIOXIDE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
TEST FACILITIES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
LAWS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION LAWS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US ORGANIZATIONS
421000* - Engineering- Combustion Systems
424000 - Engineering- Pollution Control Equipment- (1980-1989)