Mercury Speciation of Flue Gas Desulphurization By-Products in Coal-Fired Power Plants in China

The aim of this study was to develop and examine the morphology and distribution of mercury (Hg) in flue gas desulfurization (FGD) by-product. Mercury in the coal of coal-fired power plants is concentrated in the by-products of desulfurization process, and it is widely used as an additive in cement, building materials and other industries. Due to the different stability of various forms of mercury in the environment, subsequent use of products containing desulfurization by-product additives will continue to be released into the environment, endangering human health. Therefore, it is very necessary to study the form and distribution of mercury in the by-products of desulfurization in coal-fired power plants to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent harmless treatment. For content and morphology of mercury analysis, 1 sample of dry FGD ash and 6 samples of wet FGD gypsum were analyzed. The total 7 samples were extracted using a modification of sequential chemical extractions (SCE) method, which was employed for the partitioning Hg into four fractions: water soluble, acid soluble, H2O2 soluble, and residual. The Hg analysis was done with United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method 7471B. Comparing with the wet FGD gypsums of coal-fired boilers, the total Hg content in the dry FGD by-product was as high as 1.22 mg/kg, while the total Hg content in the FGD gypsum is 0.23 - 0.74 mg/kg, which was 2 times over the wet FGD gypsum. The concentration of water soluble Hg in the dry FGD by-product was the highest amount (0.72 mg/kg), accounting for 59.02% of the total mercury. While residual Hg content was 0.16 mg/kg, only about 13.11% of the total mercury. Mercury content in FGD gypsum was expressed in the form of ρ (residual Hg) > ρ (H2O2 soluble Hg) > ρ (water soluble Hg) > ρ (acid soluble Hg). The morphology and distribution of mercury in FGD by-products is supposed to be analyzed before utilization, and the impact of mercury on the environment should be considered.

Uncertainty and disturbance estimator-based model predictive control for wet flue gas desulphurization system

Wet flue gas desulphurization technology is widely used in the industrial process for its capability of efficient pollution removal.The desulphurization control system,however,is subjected to complex reaction mechanisms and severe disturbances,which make for it difficult to achieve certain practically relevant control goals including emission and economic performances as well as system robustness.To address these challenges,a new robust control scheme based on uncertainty and disturbance estimator(UDE)and model predictive control(MPC)is proposed in this paper.The UDE is used to estimate and dynamically compensate acting disturbances,whereas MPC is deployed for optimal feedback regulation of the resultant dynamics.By viewing the system nonlinearities and unknown dynamics as disturbances,the proposed control framework allows to locally treat the considered nonlinear plant as a linear one.The obtained simulation results confirm that the utilization of UDE makes the tracking error negligibly small,even in the presence of unmodeled dynamics.In the conducted comparison study,the introduced control scheme outperforms both the standard MPC and PID(proportional-integral-derivative)control strategies in terms of transient performance and robustness.Furthermore,the results reveal that a lowpass-filter time constant has a significant effect on the robustness and the convergence range of the tracking error.

Experimental Study on Ammonia Co-Firing with Coal for Carbon Reduction in the Boiler of a 300-MW Coal-Fired Power Station

To reduce CO_(2) emissions from coal-fired power plants,the development of low-carbon or carbon-free fuel combustion technologies has become urgent.As a new zero-carbon fuel,ammonia(NH_(3))can be used to address the storage and transportation issues of hydrogen energy.Since it is not feasible to completely replace coal with ammonia in the short term,the development of ammonia-coal co-combustion technology at the current stage is a fast and feasible approach to reduce CO_(2) emissions from coal-fired power plants.This study focuses on modifying the boiler and installing two layers of eight pure-ammonia burners in a 300-MW coal-fired power plant to achieve ammonia-coal co-combustion at proportions ranging from 20%to 10%(by heat ratio)at loads of 180-to 300-MW,respectively.The results show that,during ammonia-coal co-combustion in a 300-MW coal-fired power plant,there was a more significant change in NO_(x) emissions at the furnace outlet compared with that under pure-coal combustion as the boiler oxygen levels varied.Moreover,ammonia burners located in the middle part of the main combustion zone exhibited a better high-temperature reduction performance than those located in the upper part of the main combustion zone.Under all ammonia co-combustion conditions,the NH_(3) concentration at the furnace outlet remained below 1 parts per million(ppm).Compared with that under pure-coal conditions,the thermal efficiency of the boiler slightly decreased(by 0.12%-0.38%)under different loads when ammonia co-combustion reached 15 t·h^(-1).Ammonia co-combustion in coal-fired power plants is a potentially feasible technology route for carbon reduction.

Optimizing Two-Phase Flow Heat Transfer:DCS Hybrid Modeling and Automation in Coal-Fired Power Plant Boilers

In response to escalating challenges in energy conservation and emission reduction,this study delves into the complexities of heat transfer in two-phase flows and adjustments to combustion processes within coal-fired boilers.Utilizing a fusion of hybrid modeling and automation technologies,we develop soft measurement models for key combustion parameters,such as the net calorific value of coal,flue gas oxygen content,and fly ash carbon content,within theDistributedControl System(DCS).Validated with performance test data,thesemodels exhibit controlled root mean square error(RMSE)and maximum absolute error(MAXE)values,both within the range of 0.203.Integrated into their respective automatic control systems,thesemodels optimize two-phase flow heat transfer,finetune combustion conditions,and mitigate incomplete combustion.Furthermore,this paper conducts an in-depth exploration of the generationmechanismof nitrogen oxides(NOx)and low oxygen emission reduction technology in coal-fired boilers,demonstrating a substantial reduction in furnace exit NOx generation by 30%to 40%and the power supply coal consumption decreased by 1.62 g/(kW h).The research outcomes highlight the model’s rapid responsiveness,enabling prompt reflection of transient variations in various economic indicator parameters.This provides a more effective means for real-time monitoring of crucial variables in coal-fired boilers and facilitates timely combustion adjustments,underscoring notable achievements in boiler combustion.The research not only provides valuable and practical insights into the intricacies of two-phase flow heat transfer and heat exchange but also establishes a pioneering methodology for tackling industry challenges.

Carbon Dioxide Mineralisation and Integration with Flue Gas Desulphurisation Applied to a Modern Coal-Fired Power Plant

For Finland, carbon dioxide mineralisation was identified as the only option for CCS （carbon capture and storage） application. Unfortunately it has not been embraced by the power sector. One interesting source-sink combination, however, is formed by magnesium silicate resources at Vammala, located -85 km east of the 565 MWe coal-fired Meri-Pori Power Plant on the country＇s southwest coast. This paper assesses mineral sequestration of Meri-Pori power plant CO2, using Vammala mineral resources and the mineralisation process under development at Abo Akademi University. That process implies Mg（OH）E production from magnesium silicate-based rock, followed by gas/solid carbonation of the Mg（OH）2 in a pressurised fluidised bed. Reported are results on experimental work, i.e., Mg（OH）2 production, with rock from locations close to Meri-Pori. Results suggest a total CO2 fixation capacity -50 Mt CO2 for the Vammala site, although production of Mg（OH）2 from rock from the site is challenging. Finally, as mineralisation could be directly applied to flue gases without CO2 pre-capture, we report from experimental work on carbonation of Mg（OH）2 with CO2 and CO2-SO2-O2 gas mixtures. Results show that SO2 readily reacts with Mg（OH）2, providing an opportunity to simultaneously capture SO2 and CO2, which could make separate flue gas desulphurisation redundant.

Considerations on FGD in Coal-Fired Power Plants

Aiming at issues on flue gas des-ulfurization facing coal-fired power plants inChina, such as process selection, whetheradopting flue gas desulfurization (FGD) or not,qualification of flue gas desulfurization en-gineering company, the localization of technicalequipment, charge for SO2 emission andnormalized management, this article makes acomprehensive analysis and puts forwardconstructive suggestions. These will providesome references for those being engaged in fluegas desulfurization in coal-fired power plants.[

Research on flue gas desulphurization with two sorbents by water spray in activated reactor

The experimental results of flue gas desulphurization with caustic lime andhydrated lime activated by water spraying in a desulphurization reactor are presented. The effectsof Ca/S molar ratio, approach to saturation of flue gas, SO_2 concentration and gas velocity onsulfur retention efficiency and calcium utilization rate are investigated. Desulphurizationcharacteristics of the two sorbents are compared. The mechanism of improving desulphurizationefficiency by water spraying is analyzed. The results show that the activities of two sorbents areimproved obviously by humidification with water spray and the caustic lime has better applicationprospect because of cheaper cost.

INTRODUCTION TO INCONEL ALLOY 740: AN ALLOY DESIGNED FOR SUPERHEATER TUBING IN COAL-FIRED ULTRA SUPERCRITICAL BOILERS

Chinese utilities as well as those worldwide are facing increased demand for additional electricity, reduced plant emissions and greater efficiency. To meet this challenge will require increasing boiler temperature, pressure and coal ash corrosion resistance of the materials of boiler construction of future coal-fired boilers. A new nickel-based tube alloy, INCONEL^R alloy 740, is described aiming at meeting this challenge. Emphasis will be on describing the alloy＇ s mechanical properties, coal-ash and steam corrosion resistance. Microstructural stability as a function of temperature and time is addressed as well as some of the early methodology em- ployed to arrive at the current chemical composition.

Study of oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees

The oxidative desulphurization process of coal with different metamorphism degrees treated by an air-steam mixture has been studied.It has been shown that the pyrite present in black coal and anthracite is oxidized with the sulphur dioxide formation,and the process chemical mechanism does not depend on the quality of organic matter.The medium-metamorphized coal,capable of turning into a plastic state and cake in the range of investigated temperatures(350～450 ℃),is desulphurized with the greatest difficulty.The chemical mechanism dealing with the transformations of pyritic sulphur present in brown coal differs from similar processes taking place in black coal and anthracite,because FeS2 is converted with hydrogen sulphide formation at desulphurization.

Desulphurization during VIM Refining Ni-base Superalloy using CaO Crucible

The variation of S content during VIM refining Ni-base superalloy using CaO crucible was studied. It was foundthat the desulphurization process could not be carried out by only using CaO crucible. The role of Al additionto desulphurization was also studied. Combining with the results of XRD and composition analysis of the CaOcrucible, the mechanism of desulphurization was proposed. Thermodynamical calculation about the reaction betweenthe interface of CaO crucible and liquid metal has been discussed. This work indicated that under proper refiningtechnology the S content in the liquid Ni-base alloy could be reduced from 3×10-5 to 2×10-6~4×10-6.

Cause Analysis and Countermeasure of Gypsum Rain in Coal-fired Power Plants

Focusing on the phenomenon of gypsum rain while wet desulphurization(WFGD) were adopted in coal fired power plant without GGH, the paper studied and put forward the solutions : (1) desulfurization facilities related equipment modification;(2) optimal operation of existing desulfurization facilities.

A novel carbon trap sampling system for coal-fired flue gas mercury measurement

A novel carbon trap sampling system for gas-phase mercury measurement in flue gas is developed, including the high efficient sorbents made of modified biomass cokes and high precision sorbent traps for measuring particle-bound and total vapor-phase mercury in flue gas. A dedusting device is installed to collect fine fly ash for reducing the measurement errors. The thorough comparison test of mercury concentration in flue gas is conducted between the novel sampling system and the Ontario hydro method （OHM） in a 6 kW circulating fluidized bed combustor. Mercury mass balance rates of the OHM range from 95.47% to 104.72%. The mercury breakthrough rates for the second section of the sorbent trap are all below 2%. The relative deviations in the two test cases are in the range of 15. 96% to 17. 56% under different conditions. The verified data suggest that this novel carbon trap sampling system can meet the standards of quality assurance and quality control required by EPA Method 30B and can be applied to the coal-fired flue gas mercury sampling system.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization Notice 1.Process condition selection

The process of lignite desulphurization via its treatment by an oxidant(air or air–steam mixture)has been studied.The research objective was useful determination of steam application in oxidative lignite desulphurization.It has been proved that the water steam should be included in the oxidant composition to increase the hydrogen sulphide and combustible constituent content in the gases obtained during the processes under research.The impact of factors which affect the reactions between solid(in our case–lignite)and gaseous reagent(oxidant,i.e.air and or air–steam mixture)upon the research process has been investigated,if these reactions occur in the kinetic area.Such factors are linear rate of oxidant movement and coal grain size.The values of oxidant movement linear rate and coal grain size,which the reaction transfer from pyrite sulphur and organic content of lignite from diffusion into kinetic area occurs by,have been determined.Under these‘‘transfer’’conditions,the values of coefficients of oxidant mass transfer(β,m/s)as well as Sherwood criteria and boiling layer differences have been calculated.

Effect of the surface properties of an activated coke on its desulphurization performance

Commercial coke was modified by H2O2 and/or NH3.H2O to obtain an activated coke containing additional oxygen functional groups and/or nitrogen functional groups. The aim of the modification was to enhance the SO2 adsorption capacity of the activated coke. Several techniques, including total nitrogen content measurements, SO2 adsorption, XPS and FTIR analysis, were used to characterize the coke samples. The XPS and FTIR spectra suggest the existence of -CONH2 groups in the H2O2 plus ammonia modified coke. The SO2 adsorption capacity of an activated coke increases slightly with an increase in H2O2 concentration during the modification process. The desulphurization performance of a modified coke is considerably enhanced by increasing the treatment temperature during ammonia modification. The amount of nitrogen in a coke modified by H2O2 plus NH3.H2O is the highest, and the SO2 adsorption capacity of the coke is also the highest (89.9 mg/gC). The NH3.H2O (only) modified sample has lower nitrogen content and lower desulphurization capacity (79.9 mg/gC). H2O modification gives the lowest SO2 adsorption capacity (28.9 mg/gC). The H2O2 pre-treatment is beneficial for the introduction of nitrogen onto the surface of a sample during the following ammonia treatment process.

Activation of Rejected Fly Ash Using Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) Sludge

Low-grade fly ash (rejected fly ash,rFA),a significant portion of the pulverized fuel ash (PFA) produced from coal-fired power plants and rejected from the ash classifying process,remains unused due to its high carbon content and large particle size (>45μm).But it is thought that the rejected ash may have potential uses in chemical stabilization/solidification (S/S) processes which need relatively lower strengths and a lower chemical reactivity.Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) sludge is a by-product of air pollution control equipment in coal fired power plants whose chemical composition is mainly gypsum.As there is no effective usage of both of these two materials,it is of interest to research on the possible activation of rFA using FGD.This paper presents experimental results of a study on the properties of rFA activated by the FGD in rFA-cement pastes.Different percentages of FGD were added into the mix to study the effects of the FGD on the reaction of the rFA blended cement pastes.The results show that FGD takes effect as an activator only at late curing ages.Adding Ca(OH) 2 enhances the effect of FGD on activating the hydration of rFA.Also,10% FGD by weight of rFA is the optimal addition in the rFA-cement pastes.The results of the compressive strength measurements correlate well with the porosity results.

Influence of flue gas cleaning system on characteristics of PM_(2.5)emission from coal-fired power plants

This study investigated the influence of precipitators and wet flue gas desulfurization equipment on characteristics of PM_(2.5)emission from coal-fired power stations.We measured size distribution and removal efficiencies,including hybrid electrostatic precipitator/bag filters(ESP/BAGs)which have rarely been studied.A bimodal distribution of particle concentrations was observed at the inlet of each precipitator.After the precipitators,particle concentrations were significantly reduced.Although a bimodal distribution was still observed,all peak positions shifted to the smaller end.The removal efficiencies of hybrid ESP/BAGs reached 99%for PM_(2.5),which is considerably higher than those for other types of precipitators.In particular,the influence of hybrid ESP/BAG operating conditions on the performance of dust removal was explored.The efficiency of hybrid ESP/BAGs decreased by 1.9%when the first electrostatic field was shut down.The concentrations and distributions of particulate matter were also measured in three coal-fired power plants before and after desulfurization devices.The results showed diverse removal efficiencies for different desulfurization towers.The reason for the difference requires further research.We estimated the influence of removal technology for particulate matter on total emissions in China.Substituting ESPs with hybrid ESP/BAGs could reduce the total emissions to 104.3 thousand tons,with 47.48 thousand tons of PM_(2.5).

Research on the use of sintering flue gas desulphurization gypsum as a cement retarder

The characteristics of the desulphurized gypsum produced in the flue gas desulphurization （FGD） process of the Baosteel sintering plant are investigated in this study. According to the technical and quality requirements of gypsum in the cement industry ,the feasibility of using desulphurized gypsum as a cement retarder is also studied. The results show that desulphurized gypsum can be used as a cement retarder instead of natural gypsum.

Desulfurizer desulphurization kinetics by the injection method

To obtain a better desulphurization effect in hot metal, suitable desulfurizers should be selected first according to thermodynamics. However, the effect of desulphurization is also strongly affected by kinetics. The conditions of different desulfurizers （Mg, CaC2, and lime） penetrating into hot metal, the rising up velocity in iron melt, residence time, and dissolving time are theoretically calculated and analyzed. The results are helpful to select the desulphurization process and equipment and to improve the desulphurization effect.

Lignite oxidative desulphurization. Notice 2： effects of process parameters

The influence of main characteristics upon conversion directions of the lignite organic part during its oxidation desulphurization was studied. The optimum temperature values, the ratio oxidant ： raw material, and time of coal stay in the reaction zone, which provide the maximum degree of sulphur conversion and hydrogen sulphide content in desulphur- ization gases, were calculated. The process implemented under these conditions will decrease environment pollution by sulphur dioxide during further lignite burning at least to 55 %-60 % and utilize sulphur in coal in the form of desul- phurization gases with hydrogen sulphide content of 7 %. Such obtaining sulphur. The effect of the above three factors on the depth was studied. gases can be reprocessed by the known methods of and character of the coal organic matter transformation

KINETICS OF DESULPHURIZATION IN PERMANENT CONTACT OF SLAG AND STEEL

The curve of % S vs reaction time is described quantitatively based on the electrochemical model directly deduced from the principle of electrochemistry as well as the given method for calculating the initial oxygen potential along slag/steel interface.The calculated data is in good agreement with the experimental results. During desulphurization,both L_s~* and L_s,the sulphur partition along the interface and that in the bulk,go up in association with the descending of oxygen potential along interface. The plot of L_s~* against reaction time follows a parabolic curve,while that of L_s is of hyperbola type.Correspondingly,on curves of driving force parameter vs reaction tone,either calculated or experimental,a hump occurs.