Efficient resources management applied to flue gas energy recovery from coal fired boilers

The paper proposes the application of contact economizer systems to energy and water recovery from coal fired boilers in power production. The combined thermal and mass transfer pinch analysis is used for efficient resources management. The mathematical modeling of the contact economizer systems, where simultaneously direct heat and mass transfer processes are taking place, is given. The problems of energy conservation and environmental protection in industrial practice, the influence of flue gas moisture content, dew point, phase conditions, column height, system's structure and efficient operation are also addressed. The real operating parameters, obtained from the model and experiment on first and second generation pilot contact economizer system, are presented. It is shown the effect of increasing the potential of utilized heat with 9.6°C using the second generation contact economizers related to the first generation system. A possible application in an existing power station with the expected energy and water utilization is shown. The environment protection effect is demonstrated too.