Evaluation of the Steinmueller-desulfurization process for coal-fired utility boilers. Volume I. [With calcium compounds added for desulfurization]

Technical Report · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6663467· OSTI ID:6663467

Straus, R. W.; Bismarck, von; Fischer,

L and C Steinmueller is currently developing a direct desulfurization process for utility boilers fired with pulverized bituminous coal. Based on a new concept of retrofit low NOX staged mixing burners. The approach is to add powdered calcium compounds to the combustion air. The calcium captures the sulfur during combustion in a low temperature zone of the flame to form a dry sulfate which is removed along with the fly ash in electrostatic precipitators or bag filters. Previous efforts to desulfurize bituminous coal by injection of calcium additives to the combustion process were unsuccessful because sintering of the additive and intensive slagging occurred in the radiant section of the boiler. These effects were attributed to high flame temperatures. During the last two years, new development work has started in Austria, Germany and the US. In Germany, the Rheinisch-Westfaelische Elektrizitaetswerke (RWE) will apply the process in a lignite-fired 300 MW generating station, where combustion temperatures can be kept well below 1200/sup 0/C., a maximum temperature limiting a feasible application of the process. As Steinmueller's new concept of mixing burners provides a flame zone with temperatures around 1100/sup 0/C., into which the calcium compounds can be injected via the combustion air, a direct desulfurization appears feasible also for pulverized coal boilers. Steinmueller is currently developing the process with a burner on a 3 MW scale. The development aims at meeting the new SO/sub 2/ emission standard of 650 mg SO/sub 2//Nm/sup 3/ by installation of retrofit burners into existing power stations without modification of the boiler. This evaluation complies initial data on the process, its economy and its main strengths and weaknesses.

• Research Organization: Galaxy, Inc., Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-79SF10538
• OSTI ID: 6663467
• Report Number(s): DOE/SF/10538-T3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200202* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management-- Noxious Gas & Particulate Emissions
ADDITIVES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
BOILERS
BURNERS
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COMBUSTION
DESULFURIZATION
DEW POINT
ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATORS
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FLUE GAS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
MATERIALS
MODIFICATIONS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
RETROFITTING
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES