Modernization Potential of Pulverized Coal Boilers in Response to Contemporary Ecological Challenges

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of the possibility of modernization of pulverized coal (PC) boilers fired with hard coal or lignite in order to meet contemporary ecological challenges. The increase in the price of CO₂ emission allowances causes a decrease in the profitability of coal combustion. Therefore, the construction of large new coal-fired units is becoming more and more risky. The need to keep existing power plants in operation gives a strong impetus to retrofitting PC boilers to reduce their carbon footprint. The paper assesses the following modernizations in terms of improving the environmental impact of the power plant: increasing the efficiency of the boiler, maintaining high efficiency in a wide range of loads, enabling continuous operation with the lowest load, and increasing the unit load change (ramp rate).

Acknowledgments

The results presented in this paper were obtained from research work financed by the Polish National Centre for Research and Development within the framework of project no. 234/17/PU “Bloki 200+”.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marek Pronobis

Marek Pronobis is a professor (emeritus) of the Silesian University of Technology. He is an expert in boilers and their auxiliary equipment. His basic scientific activity includes design calculation methods, innovative heating surfaces, boilers modernization to increase their efficiency and ability to burn various fuels. He has conducted research on low-NOx combustion of fossil and renewable fuels, fouling, erosion, and corrosion processes in boilers, grinding and drying processes in solid fuel preparation installations, aluminosilicate additives improving boiler operation, as well as SCR and SNCR technology. He developed the concepts of many modernizations implemented in the energy sector.