Advanced Coal-Fueled Combustor/Heat Exchanger Technology Study. Research and development plan

Technical Report · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5380029· OSTI ID:5380029

Campbell, Jr., J. C.

Much of the rationale for studying the coal-fired, closed-cycle gas turbine power generation system lies in two factors. The closed-cycle gas turbine power system, which utilizes a non-condensing working fluid, is capable of higher overall thermal efficiencies than is the conventional steam-based Rankine system utilized in present day steam power stations. It utilizes higher working fluid temperatures to achieve this higher efficiency. Additionally, the utilization of the closed cycle as opposed to the open gas turbine cycle, isolates the turbomachinery from the products of coal combustion. These coal combustion products are so dirty, corrosive, and erosive that no practical system for their direct utilization in gas turbines has yet been devised, and near term achievement of practical coal fired open cycle gas turbines appears unlikely. The direct coal firing of heat exchangers, by comparison, is present day state-of-the-art at the lower working fluid temperatures typical of today's steam based power cycles. The operating requirements for the coal fired combustor/heat exchanger of a closed cycle gas turbine power conversion system differ from those of steam boilers in several respects, particularly as regards maximum heating surface temperatures. But they are sufficiently similar that the attainment of technology readiness for such combustor/heat exchangers is expected to be attainable for modest development costs and in the near future, thus permitting more efficient utilization of the only economically abundant US fuel, coal. The effort contracted for consisted entirely of studies, analyses, design effort and reporting. No fabrication or test effort was involved.

• Research Organization: Rockwell International Corp., Canoga Park, CA (USA). Rocketdyne Div.
• DOE Contract Number: EF-77-C-01-2612
• OSTI ID: 5380029
• Report Number(s): FE-2612-16
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
014000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Combustion
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200102* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Cycles
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CLOSED-CYCLE SYSTEMS
COAL
COMBUSTORS
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS TURBINES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
MACHINERY
RANKINE CYCLE POWER SYSTEMS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY