Influence of limestone calcination on the utilization of the sulfur-sorbent in atmospheric pressure fluid-bed combustors. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7301513· OSTI ID:7301513

Ulerich, N. H.; O'Neill, E. P.; Keairns, D. L.

Fluidized bed combustion for electric power generation is a direct combustion process for coal with the potential for improved thermal conversion efficiency, reduced costs, and acceptable environmental impact. Using limestone to capture the sulfur in the combustion bed, current EPA new source performance standards (NSPS) for SO/sub x/ emissions can be met, but the process as currently practiced requires a > 3/1 mole ratio of calcium to sulfur, instead of the theoretical limiting value of 0.9/1. In this study, a method for improving the limestone capacity using a controlled calcination technique was investigated. It was demonstrated, in laboratory scale studies, that retarded calcination of the sorbent in carbon dioxide rich atmospheres creates a superior pore-volume distribution in sorbents, so that their capacity for reacting with sulfur dioxide is effectively doubled. With this technique, sulfur penetrates further into lime particles and further into the individual grains of the lime particles. Projected limestone savings and reduction in the quantities of spent sorbent for disposal could be > 2 x 10/sup 5/ tons per annum for a 600 MW plant. An outline is given of application of the technique to an atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustor. It is recommended that the technique be tested in a continuous pilot plant, of sufficient scale to develop detailed cost information.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Research and Development Center
• OSTI ID: 7301513
• Report Number(s): EPRI-FP-426
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
014000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Combustion
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200202 -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management-- Noxious Gas & Particulate Emissions
AIR POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ATMOSPHERES
CALCINATION
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBONATE ROCKS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COMBUSTION
CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES
DECOMPOSITION
ECONOMICS
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDIZED-BED COMBUSTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
FUELS
LIMESTONE
MICROANALYSIS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POWER PLANTS
PYROLYSIS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES