Economic considerations for industrial firing of coal-oil mixtures

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6446156

Bergman, P D; George, T J; Joubert, J I; Bienstock, D

Industrial users of oil and gas face an uncertain future with respect to fuel availability and economics. Direct conversion to coal may be beyond the physical-technical capabilities of a large segment of the industrial community. Conversion to COM (coal-oil mixtures) offers an intermediate, near-term solution which could reduce oil consumption by as much as 40 to 45%. In many cases, COM could be utilized in existing steam-raising equipment without a significant derating. In this paper key economic and technical considerations associated with the conversion of existing clean-fuel-burning industrial boilers to COM-firing are explored. The costs incurred in converting No. 6-oil-fired boilers to COM (50% coal) firing were ascertained for two units with steam capacities of 100,000 lb/hr and 500,000 lb/hr. Based on a discounted cash flow analysis, the fuel savings ensuing from COM substitution are of sufficient magnitude to warrant modifying a substantial number of industrial boilers to COM-firing. With Eastern bituminous coal priced at $1.05/10/sup 6/ Btu and 1% S No. 6 residual oil priced at $2.16/10/sup 6/ Btu, COM appears attractive for immediate consideration as an industrial boiler fuel, based purely on the profit motive. The concept of a commercial COM/coal preparation complex, producing low-ash and low-sulfur coal for established local markets and/or a premium low-sulfur COM fuel was also examined.

• Research Organization: Department of Energy, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Energy Research Center
• OSTI ID: 6446156
• Report Number(s): CONF-7805152-2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
014000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Combustion
02 PETROLEUM
025000 -- Petroleum-- Combustion
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200108 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Fuels-- (1980-)
BOILER FUEL
BOILERS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
COMBUSTION
COMMINUTION
DEASHING
DESULFURIZATION
DISPERSIONS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL OILS
FUEL SLURRIES
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MIXTURES
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
RETROFITTING
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES