Flexible Power Boilers – Proposal for a Systems Approach
(Room G109, Auditorium Centre, First Floor)
10 Jun 15
9:00 AM
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10:30 AM
Tracks:
Theme: Coal's Cleaner Future
Many discussions are ongoing about the needs allowing a power generation plant to stay in the market. One can witness today that actual cost of generation is the predominant selection criterion. Consequently, plants generating electrical power from the least costly type of chemical energy currently enjoy a not anticipated degree of utilization. CO2 emission rates are of less impact due to low cost for the tonnage emitted. Notwithstanding, further rise of green power supply will entail further constraints to the operation conditions also for plants not yet hurt by the price deterioration so far. The subject of the presentation shall be limited to the scope of the boiler as component of a steam power unit.
Alstom – as the OEM of boilers – faces the need to study possible ways of improvement of large power boilers supplying steam for 600 MWel and more gross power output. Major field of interest comprises efficiency, flexibility and air quality control. Investigations lead to recommendations of tailored measures with different extent of CAPEX, different effect on OPEX, and different impact on the target properties of the steam generator. A matrix has been worked out that shows the improvement targets, the concerned functional systems and the relevant scopes of upgrades.
Results of interest embrace lower minimum stable rating (MSR), further NOx emission abatement in the light of the Industrial Emission Directive (IED), utilization of dry lignite as start-up and support firing, steam parameter increase, faster ramp-ups incl. temperature gradients, and further extent of maintenance cycles. The presentation gives an overview over the ways of implementation of most common interest and describes inherent potentials and limits, names the cross interferences and shows qualitative cost impact factors. Proposed measures range from improved operation procedures only modifying C&I, extended maintenance schemes, up to retrofit of components, firing system, and pressure part.