Co-firing: Implementation of Bioenergy within the current Infrastructure
Dr. Larry Baxter
Professor, Chemical Engineering
Brigham Young University, USA
Alberta Innovates Energy Environment Solutions Lecture
3:30pm - October 25, 2012
ETLC) 1-001
Abstract:
There are compelling logistical and economic reasons to cofire biomass with coal in thermal conversion processes (gasifiers and combustors). Biomass-coal co-firing represents a near-term, low-risk, low-cost, sustainable, renewable energy option that promises reduction in effective CO2 emissions, reduction in SOx and often NOx emissions, and several societal benefits. When combined with effective CO2 capture and storage (CCS), this process could represent a net reduction in atmospheric CO2 concentrations - an accomplishment beyond the reach of non-biomass-based renewable energy options. CCS technology on dedicated biomass facilities would also result in a net CO2 reduction, but cofiring produces power from biomass with much higher efficiencies and CCS systems on large-scale coal plants are much cheaper compared to similar technologies in dedicated biomass plants. Nevertheless, much of this discussion is as relevant to dedicated biomass systems as to cofired systems.
Such cofiring involves several technical challenges. This presentation explores these technical challenges. Technical issues associated with cofiring include fuel supply, handling and storage challenges, potential increases in corrosion, decreases in overall efficiency, ash deposition and management issues, pollutant emissions, carbon burnout, impacts on ash marketing, impacts on SCR performance, and overall economics. Each of these issues has been investigated and this presentation summarizes the state-of-the-art in each area, both in the US and abroad. The focus is on fireside issues. While each of the issues can be significant, the conclusion is that biomass residues represent possibly the best (cheapest and lowest risk) renewable energy option for many power producers.
Biography:
