O and M experience underscores maturity of CFB technology
Several dozen unit-years of experience, summarized here, indicate that CFB boilers pose no greater level of difficulty in the field than p-c or stoker-fired units. The push for lower emissions and greater fuel flexibility certainly put the development of circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) boiler technology on the fast track. After a decade of sustained commercial development, the technology now challenges pulverized-coal-fired (p-c) units in individual sizes up to 500 MW. In smaller sizes, it has eroded the dominance of stoker-fired boilers for solid-fuel applications. Successive projects, most notably in the independent-power arena, have pushed technology in terms of fuels fired, emissions levels reached, and operability flexibility. But while the CFB design train chugs ahead, it pays to look back at the landscape of operating projects to determine just what the experience has been. Overall user satisfaction with the technology has been excellent, based on the projects surveyed (table) which represent several dozen unit-years of experience with a variety of fuels, unit sizes, etc. Availability and capacity factors meet or exceed predicted values. Most generic problem areas have been managed, though some remain. And, to the extent that CFB boilers--which generally fire a wider range of fuels than p-c units do, can be compared to p-c and stoker units, operating performance appears to be as good or better.
- OSTI ID:
- 69748
- Journal Information:
- Power (New York), Vol. 139, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: May 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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