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U.S. Department of Energy
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Co-firing switchgrass in a 50 MW pulverized coal boiler

Conference ·
OSTI ID:514888
; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)
  2. Madison Gas and Electric Co., Madison, WI (United States)
Co-firing of biomass and coal in an electric utility powerplant is an effective way to reduce air pollution emissions, provide jobs to rural areas, and potentially lower the cost of electricity. Of all the biomass crops, switchgrass has the highest yield per acre on relatively poor soils, and is drought resistant. Switchgrass is environmentally friendly since it is not replanted each year and thus improves soil erosion control, and requires reduced fertilizers and pesticides. Switchgrass has strong appeal to farmers because they can diversify their markets while using conventional haying equipment. This paper reports on switchgrass co-firing tests at MG and E which were conducted from october 1--5, 1996. Five co-fire tests were run for 3--5 hours each of steady operation at loads of 40--47 MW. Switchgrass mass feed rate was 8--15% and heat input was 5--10%. These tests demonstrated the performance of the fuel handling system and provided a characterization of the fuel physical and chemical properties. The tests also showed the effects on plant capacity, heat rate, slagging, carbon burnout and gaseous emissions.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
OSTI ID:
514888
Report Number(s):
CONF-970456--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English