A comparison between firing coal-water slurry fuel and dry, micronized coal in an oil-designed industrial watertube boiler

Penn State`s Energy and Fuels Research Center is conducting proof of concept demonstrations of firing coal-water slurry fuel (CWSF) and dry, micronized coal in an oil-designed industrial watertube to establish the technical and economic viability of firing coal-based fuels in package watertube boilers designed for fuel oil. Technical aspects of the demonstrations are addressed in this paper, including: evaluating systems for coal storage (hoppers for micronized coal; tanks for CWSF) and handling (conveyors, screw feeders, and pneumatic transport for micronized coal; pumps and piping for CWSF) and their integration with the burner; determining coal combustion and boiler performance; determining rates of ash deposition and erosion; monitoring emissions; and quantifying the level of boiler derating.