Minimization of No Emissions From Multi-Burner Coal-Fired Boilers

Abstract

The focus of this program is to provide insight into the formation and minimization of NOx in multi-burner arrays, such as those that would be found in a typical utility boiler. Most detailed studies are performed in single-burner test facilities, and may not capture significant burner-toburner interactions that could influence NOx emissions. Our approach is to investigate such interactions by a combination of single and multiple burner experiments in a pilot-scale coal-fired test facility at the University of Utah, and by the use of computational combustion simulations to provide insight into the experimental results and to evaluate full-scale utility boilers. In addition, fundamental studies on nitrogen release from coal will be performed in support of the modeling effort. Improved submodels describing transformations of both volatile nitrogen species and char nitrogen species will be developed. The program is broken into four main tasks: 1-Fundamental studies on nitrogen release from coal. These studies will be used to enhance the predictive capabilities of the combustion simulations. Studies focusing on secondary coal pyrolysis will be carried out at Brigham Young University, and studies focusing on char nitrogen will be performed at the University of Utah. 2-Comprehensive modeling of burner arrays. This task will be performed by Reaction Engineering International and the Unversity of Utah. 3-Pilot-scale optimization of multi-burner arrays. This task will be carried out by the University of Utah. 4-Technology transfer. This task involves coordination with utility consultants who will provide oversight of the research program.