Chapter 5 - Fluidized-Bed Combustion Boilers

Abstract

Fluidized-bed combustion is a process in which solid particles are made to exhibit fluid-like properties by suspending these particles in an upwardly flowing evenly distributed fluid stream. Fuel flexibility and reduced emissions are the benefits of fluidized bed combustion. There are two basic categories of fluidized-bed combustion, i.e., atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) and pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC). Each category is further comprised of bubbling fluidized bed combustion (BFBC) and circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC). Out of these four configurations atmospheric CFBC has the widest global application and pressurized BFBC has limited commercial application. Fluidized-bed technology is a viable option to stoker-fired and pulverized coal-fired units for the combustion of solid fuels for fuel flexibility and reduced generation of atmospheric pollutants.