Review of fluidized bed combustion technology in the United States

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6417195

Krishnan, R P; Daw, C S; Jones, Jr, J E

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
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
421000* -- Engineering-- Combustion Systems
424000 -- Engineering-- Pollution Control Equipment-- (1980-1989)
ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLEAN AIR ACT
COMBUSTION
DOCUMENT TYPES
EMISSION
EPRI
FLUIDIZED-BED COMBUSTION
FORECASTING
LAWS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION LAWS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
REVIEWS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
TEST FACILITIES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US ORGANIZATIONS