Advanced particle control technologies for pressurized-bed combustion applications

The efficiency, economic, and environmental advantages of coal-fired, pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC) combined-cycle systems for power generation can be further enhanced by the incorporation of advanced high-temperature, high-pressure particle control technologies. Incorporation of advanced particle control technologies into PFBC combined-cycle systems using cyclone separators for particle control can increase plant efficiency, lower the cost-of-electricity, decrease gas turbine maintenance requirements, and eliminate the need for post-turbine particle control to meet new source performance standards for particle emissions. The ceramic cross-flow filter, ceramic candle filter, screenless granular-bed filter, and acoustic agglomeration are advanced particle control technologies being developed for PFBC applications under programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. This paper describes the status, recent test results, remaining technical issues, and planned development programs for these particle control technologies.