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Superior advantages of fluidized bed combustion: Why this technology can break the limitations of traditional boilers?
Fluidized Bed Combustion (FBC) is a unique combustion technology specifically designed for burning solid fuels. The basic operating principle of this technology is that fuel particles are suspended in a hot, bubbling fluidized bed of ash and other granular materials such as sand and limestone, with sparged air providing the oxygen required for combustion. This rapid and intimate mixing of gas and solids promotes rapid heat transfer and chemical reactions within the bed.
Fluidized bed combustion technology efficiently burns a wide range of low-grade solid fuels, including various types of coal, coal waste and woody biomass, without the need for expensive fuel preparation.
Compared to conventional boilers, FBC facilities take up less space while burning the same heat load, thus offering significant advantages in terms of cost and flexibility. In addition, FBC significantly reduces sulfur dioxide (SOx) emissions by using limestone to precipitate sulfur during the combustion process. This technological innovation not only improves the efficiency of heat energy transfer, but also reduces the generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Advantages of Fluidized Bed CombustionThere are two main reasons for the rapid growth of FBC: first, this technology provides freedom in fuel selection, and can use fuels that are difficult to burn with other technologies; second, FBC can effectively reduce nitrogen oxides during the combustion process. emissions, and the sulfur is easily removed by using limestone.
Fluidized bed combustion technology not only reduces pollutant emissions, but also keeps solid deposition and melting problems low during the combustion process.
The operating temperature of fluidized bed combustion technology is between 750 °C and 900 °C, which is much lower than the operating temperature of other traditional technologies (such as 850 °C), thereby effectively controlling the generation of nitrogen oxides. At the same time, the combustion efficiency of FBC is significantly improved because its heat exchange efficiency is ten times higher than that of traditional combustion processes, making it more environmentally friendly.
Various types of fluidized bed combustion systems
Fluidized bed combustion systems can be roughly divided into two categories: atmospheric pressure systems (FBC) and pressurized systems (PFBC). These two types of systems can be further divided into bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) and circulating fluidized bed (CFB).
Atmospheric pressure fluidized bed combustion
Atmospheric pressure fluidized beds use limestone or dolomite to capture the sulfur released by burning coal. During the combustion process, air jets suspend the mixture of burning coal and oxidants, creating a suspension of hot particles that flows like a liquid. These boilers operate at atmospheric pressure.
Pressurized fluidized bed combustion
The first generation of pressurized fluidized bed combustion systems also used an oxidant and air injection to suspend the mixture, but they operated at higher pressures and produced a high-pressure gas stream that could drive a gas turbine.
The gradual evolution of pressurized fluidized bed technology has improved efficiency and can combine gas and steam to achieve optimal energy utilization.
Challenges and Future Prospects
While fluidized bed combustion technology offers many advantages, it also faces some challenges, such as erosion of the boiler's internal tubes and uneven temperatures due to air inlet blockage. Additionally, some systems may take a long time to boot up, sometimes up to 48 hours.
However, with the advancement of technology and increasing environmental requirements, fluidized bed combustion is still evolving, striving to reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and solve existing operating problems.
Like many new technologies, will fluidized bed combustion continue to remain competitive in future energy production?
