Experience of Burning Sunflower Husks in the Kumertau CHP Pulverized Coal-Fired Boilers

Abstract

One of the TPP’s electricity cost price components is the fuel cost. An increase in the performance of TPPs is possible by using cheaper alternative coal, the main characteristics of which are close to those of standard quality coal. Recently, there has been a tendency for using other types of coal and nonstandard types of fuel in pulverized coal-fired boilers. Thermal power plants in Finland, France, and Denmark use wood raw-material and paper waste, as well as other biofuels, to generate electricity. The simplest and least costly way of cofiring coal and biomass is to mix them and then feed them into the furnace of a pulverized coal-fired, dry-bottom boiler. In this way, it is possible to burn approximately 5% of biomass in the mixture. In cyclone-furnace boilers, it is possible to burn at least approximately 20% of biomass; however, this will require significant boiler reconstruction. In grate stokers, 100% of the biomass can be burned, but fluidized bed combustion is only suitable for small TPPs. In Russia, oil extraction waste, namely sunflower husks, can be used as biofuel in the form of pellets. The article discusses the experience of burning nonconventional solid fuels in pulverized coal-fired boilers, the advantages and disadvantages of this type fuel, and the problems of arising in its utilization.