The ELSAM strategy of firing biomass in CFB power plants

The Danish power pool ELSAM has launched a program for developing a coal and biomass-fired CFB concept for future power plants, as an option to achieve a substantial reduction of CO{sub 2} emissions associated with energy generation. The general development of CFB technology abroad and domestic experience gained from small-scale coal and straw firing form the basis for this program. Since January 1992 MIDTKRAFT Power Company has been operating an 80 MWth CFB cogeneration plant located at Grenaa. This plant is fired with a mixture of hard coal and surplus straw from farming. The share of straw ranges from 0-60% on an energy basis. Straw contains much larger amounts of chlorine and potassium than normal fossil fuels, which implies a higher potential of superheater corrosion and combustor fouling. This paper reviews the experience gained during the first 3 years of operation of the CFB plant. The record includes early superheater corrosion and fouling incidents, a heat surface modification and its impact on subsequent plant operation. Apart from operational experience the paper will review the results of the R and D activities executed at the Grenaa plant for further CFB development. Based on the specific experience from Grenaa and the generalmore » evolution of the CFB technology ELSAM has initiated a program for development of a 250 MWe CFB power plant concept, firing up to 60% biomass (wood waste and a limited amount of annular crops). USC steam conditions are adopted for the novel concept, implying an expected plant efficiency of 45% (LHV-based). Special emphasis is attached to plant operational flexibility with a view to fulfilling general power plant requirements.« less