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Development of a vortex-containment combustor for coal-combustion systems. Report for January 1980-December 1983 (Final)

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6086994

This report describes the development of a vortex-containment combustor (VCC) for coal-combustion systems, designed to solve major problems facing the conversion of oil- and gas-fired boilers to coal (e.g., derating, inorganic impurities in coal, and excessive formation of NOx and SOx). The system would: have a high firing density, separate and retain fly ash, and be adaptable to viable pollution-control technologies. An extensive literature review and tests of two candidate isothermal systems preceded the design and construction of a bench-scale VCC. Coal-combustion tests were performed on the VCC to evaluate its performance in terms of ash-retention efficiency, coal burnout, combustion stability, and slag and ash deposition. Results were very promising for both retention efficiency and combustion stability. Fuel-injector modifications improved internal slag-deposition conditions while maintaining acceptable carbon burnout levels. NOx control by staging and reburning technologies was evaluated in the VCC, along with sorbent injection for the control of SO/sub 2/ emissions. Both staging and reburning were effective in reducing NOx emissions in the VCC. Improvements in the sorbent injection approach are required to obtain an acceptable degree of SO/sub 2/ reduction. Based on particle force balance expressions, scaling criteria have been established for the VCC.

Research Organization:
Energy and Environmental Research Corp., Irvine, CA (USA)
OSTI ID:
6086994
Report Number(s):
PB-89-180921/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English