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Ultrafine pulverized coal as an alternate fuel for oil and gas fired boilers

Conference · · Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5572674
This paper describes a four phase test and demonstration program to investigate the feasibility of burning ultrafine pulverized coal in boilers currently burning oil or gas. The concept being investigated is that ultrafine grinding increases the burning rate of coal to permit complete combustion in the relatively smaller furnaces of boilers designed for oil and gas and reduces the particle size of minerals in coal so that ash particles produced in combustion follow the flue gas streamlines around the tightly spaced tubes of these boilers. The first two phases of the program are small scale tests in a laboratory ashing furnace and a small combustion test furnace to determine slagging potential and deposition characteristics of burning micronized coals. The Phase 1 fuels characterization and laboratory ashing tests have been substantially completed with positive and encouraging results. This justifies proceeding with Phase 2, for which preparations are underway. The third and fourth phases are to be scaled-up tests in an industrial boiler and then in a utility boiler. This program is designed to determine how low the ash content must be and how large a coal particle size can be tolerated, as well as to evaluate plant modifications and derating (if any). It is believed that the compromise of reduced fuel cost, conversion cost, and derating will make use of this alternate fuel cost effective.
OSTI ID:
5572674
Report Number(s):
CONF-820217-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Energy Technol. (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Journal Volume: 9
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English