The cost-efficiency analysis of a system for improving fine-coal combustion efficiency of power plant boilers

Abstract

Hard coal is widely used as a source of energy, and a number of catalysts have been developed to minimize the noxious impact of this fuel on combustion. This paper presents the cost-efficiency analysis of a system for improving the combustion of solid fuels, especially fine coal, in power boilers. The system is provided with a control and supervision device. It has been designed for better accuracy in controlling the boiler operating parameters, with a view to improving combustion efficiency due to the use of catalysts. The tests were carried out for system capacities ranging from 3 to 100 MW. It was found that, depending on the size of the system in the range of 3–100 MW, savings in the fuel consumption ranged from 2% to 8% due to the implementation of novel solutions in the boiler plant operation and from 2 to 6% due to the use of the combustion catalysts. Apart from boosting energy efficiency, the use of catalysts and the efficiency-boosting system resulted in the costs of overhauls being cut by about 20%. The payback time depends on system capacities, and it is between 6.75 and 1.74 years for capacities ranging from 3 to 75 MW and 2.0 years for a 100 MW plant.