Coal Power Plants Research Articles

Survey of Opportunities for Coal to Nuclear Conversion in Texas

This technical report aims to provide energy developers and policymakers with information and preliminary analyses on the potential for Texas coal plant sites to be repurposed for nuclear power. Investigation into coal-to-nuclear (C2N) has shown that constructing a nuclear reactor on the site of a retired coal plant has both economic and environmental benefits. The data presented includes operational details of the coal power plants, the presence of nearby hazards, geological and hydrological data, and population statistics. This information was gathered for 19 coal powered electricity generation sites in Texas. Thirteen of the sites assessed have no hazards or other factors that would disqualify them from hosting a Small Modular Reactor (SMR). Of these, 11 sites are also suitable for a Light Water Reactor (LWR). The smaller size and power output of SMRs makes these additional 2 sites possible, even near a population center. The remaining 6 coal plant sites would require more specific on-site analysis or potential adjustments to the reactor design to be considered for licensing. These findings exhibit the potential for cost effective nuclear development to benefit grid stability and provide baseload power to Texas.

Experimental and modeled analysis of contaminant mobility in coal fly ash landfills under continuous rainfall regimes

In China, a significant amount of coal fly ash is stored or used for landfill reclamation. The contaminants in coal fly ash (CFA) leachate can cause regional soil and groundwater contamination during long-term storage. This paper focuses on a coal gangue comprehensive utilisation power plant in Fenyang City, Shanxi Province, China, where the leaching characteristics of CFA were investigated by leaching tests. Laboratory-scale long-term soil column leaching tests and long-term ash column leaching tests were conducted using compacted soil and compacted CFA, respectively, to simulate contaminant migration patterns from CFA during the early and later stages of landfill operation. Hydrus-1D simulation software was used to calculate contaminant transport from the CFA landfill. The test results indicate that the concentrations of six representative elements or compounds in the CFA leachate exceeded the Groundwater Standard Class III. Among these contaminants, Pb contamination was the worst, with concentrations 26.67 times above the standard. The flow rate of the leachate is lower when the degree of compaction of the Ma’lan loess and the CFA is higher, and it takes longer for the leachate to start flowing. The greatest release of the ions occurred at a Ma’lan loess compaction coefficient of 0.943 and a hydraulic conductivity of 6.031 × 10− 7. Under extreme rainfall conditions, the contaminants and heavy metals in the fly ash leachate migrate to a maximum depth of 56 cm in the compacted soil layer, with Pb reaching a depth of 28 cm, nickel 23 cm, cadmium 9 cm and hexavalent chromium 5 cm to meet Class III groundwater quality standards. These results indicate a potential risk of groundwater contamination in the vicinity of CFA deposits or land reclamation projects in long-term storage. To mitigate this risk, the Guofeng Power Plant may consider utilizing locally compacted Malan loess in combination with geosynthetic materials or implementing a liner much thicker than 1.5 m to enhance the impermeability of the fly ash landfill.

Author Correction: Design of retrofit flue gas (CO2) scrubber for dependable clean energy at the Duvha Coal Power Plant

Author Correction: Design of retrofit flue gas (CO2) scrubber for dependable clean energy at the Duvha Coal Power Plant

Pre-design of bottom ash cooling using CFD simulation: a case study of the coal generator power plant in the PT. BEST Tanjung Enim of South Sumatera

The manual removal of bottom ash from the boiler is a hazardous activity due to the extremely high temperatures involved, ranging from 700 to 800°C. The objective of this research is to develop a cooling device to facilitate the bottom ash removal process for workers at PT. BEST Tanjung Enim and to measure the reduction in ash temperature achieved by cooling device. The design was created using computer aided design software and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Subsequently, a hypothesis is proposed, defining the bottom ash material as Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂) and equalizing the density of the bottom ash. To ascertain the temperature drop, variations in the screw conveyor’s rotation speed were tested at 40, 33, and 12 rpm, paired with cooling water velocities of 0.5, 0.75, and 1 m/s respectively. The findings of study indicated that a screw conveyor speed of 12 rpm combined with a cooling water velocity of 0.5 m/s yielded the lowest bottom ash temperature, reaching 402°C, thus significantly reducing the need for manual handling when the ash temperature remains at 800°C. Further study should explore the application of Discrete Element Method (DEM) simulations for modelling bulk material behaviour and the integration of additional cooling media to enhance system performance.

Air Emissions and Health Impacts of Two Hydrogen‐Based Electricity Generation Methods

ABSTRACTElectricity production using fossil fuels contributes to air pollution and adverse health impacts. One option for decreasing fossil fuel consumption is replacing fossil fuel power plants with electricity produced from green hydrogen (H2, produced from renewable sources). Previous studies mainly focused on greenhouse gas emissions from two common H2 production methods, steam methane reforming (SMR) and water electrolysis. This study compares the estimated emissions and associated health outcomes of generating electricity from fossil fuels with electricity generated from H2 produced through SMR or electrolysis in various regions of the United States. Shifting from coal‐generated electricity to SMR‐produced H2‐generated electricity results in health benefits while shifting from natural gas‐generated electricity to electricity generated from H2 generated via water electricity results in health costs in all regions. Depending on the region, replacing a natural gas power plant with electricity generated from H2 produced via SMR or replacing a coal power plant with electricity generated from water electrolysis could result in either health benefits or costs. This study also considers the impact of plant location on human health outcomes as well as the impact of increasing renewable energy percentages on health outcomes associated with replacing a coal or natural gas power plant with electricity generated from H2 produced through grid‐based water electrolysis. The results indicate that a high renewable fraction (over 85% of the grid) is required to experience health benefits, emphasizing the challenges associated with moving toward electrolysis‐based H2 production for electricity generation.

Analysis of cytogenetic disorders in residents of an industrial region in connection with work at coal-fired thermal power plants

BACKGROUND: In the air of an industrial environment associated with the processing and combustion of coal contains a huge amount of coal dust, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have a negative impact on genetic stability. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to study the genotoxic effects in workers of coal thermal power plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The paper presents a cytogenetic analysis of genomic damage in 455 coal-fired thermal power plant workers compared with 533 control donors from Kemerovo using a micronucleus test. The formation of genomic abnormalities in coal-fired thermal power plant workers was assessed in relation to sex, age, smoking status, presence of chronic diseases, length of service, and working shops. RESULTS: A significant increase in the frequency of occurrence of lymphocytes with micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, nuclear buds, as well as cells at the stage of apoptosis in workers of coal-fired thermal power plants compared to the control group was established. An increase in the frequency of occurrence of cells with cytogenetic disorders was revealed in women working in coal production and workers over 51 years of age. Work experience and professional specialization had a significant impact on the formation of genomic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate a significant contribution of environmental factors to the development of geno- and cytotoxic effects in workers of coal-fired thermal power plants.

Микроэлементный состав золошлаковых отходов Забайкальского края

Fossil coal consists of organic and inorganic parts. The inorganic part is in the form of minerals. In the composition of inorganic matter, two chemical groups of elements are distinguished: ash-forming or main, constituting about 99 % of all inorganic matter; impurity or minor elements (about 1 % of the total inorganic matter). Among the impurity elements there may be rare valuable metals such as Ge, Ga, U, etc. Sometimes, the cost of rare metals in coal may exceed the cost of the coal itself, and then these coals are considered as low-balance mineral raw materials, and their organic matter found in their composition as a by-product. The article provides overview information on the results of studies already conducted and currently ongoing on the issue of the safe inclusion of ash and slag waste, which occupies vast areas near coal-fired power plants, into industrial circulation through their integrated use. The object of the research is coal combustion waste. The subject of the study is ash and slag waste from Transbaikal coal power plants. The purpose of the work is to assess the mineral composition of ash and slag waste in the Transbaikal Territory. The objective of the research is to obtain reliable information about the content and distribution of chemical elements in the inorganic matter of Transbaikal coals, which turn into ash and slag waste after combustion. The research methods are as follows: analytical research and processing of archival materials from previously carried out work; field testing of ash and sludge waste using modern instruments; processing of laboratory samples using modern laboratory equipment. The result of the research will be: assessment of the elemental composition of inorganic matter in coals based on the analysis of ash and slag waste and their potential impact on the ecological state of adjacent areas during combustion; typification of chemical elements of inorganic matter in Transbaikal coals: valuable components, potentially valuable, toxic, potentially toxic, technologically harmful and technologically useful.

Energy Transition Study of the Scheme for Replacing Steam Power Plants with Nuclear Power Plants Regarding Safety Aspects, Supporting Infrastructure, and Regulation Availability

Coal has been an essential contributor to the modern economy, but it is also a cause of global climate warming and environmental problems. Therefore, many countries have undertaken initiatives to achieve net zero emissions and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in recent years, including Indonesia, with a genuine commitment stipulated in Law Number 59 of 2024 as part of the energy transition. A literature study has been conducted on the energy transition scheme of replacing coal power plants (CPP) with nuclear power plants (NPP) and its influence on safety aspects, supporting infrastructure, and regulatory availability. The paper aims to analyze the options covered in replacing the CPP boiler with an NPP and its effect on safety aspects, supporting infrastructure, and regulatory availability. A literature study compared implementation practices in Poland, the People's Republic of China, and the United States. The results of the analysis show that the replacement of CPP to NPP is applicable due to the similarity of systems and components between the two plants. The important elements in replacing CPP with NPP are site, reactor technology, supporting infrastructure, human resources, and regulations. Keywords: coal power plants (CPP), nuclear power plants (NPP), energy transition, regulation

Biomass Co-firing in Coal Power Plants: Analyzing Combustion Characteristics and Emission Reductions

Biomass Co-firing in Coal Power Plants: Analyzing Combustion Characteristics and Emission Reductions

Genetic Algorithm-Based Optimization of Solar Photovol-taic Integration and Demand Response for CO2 Reduction in Indian Coal Power

In 2022, global coal combustion contributed significantly to global pollution, producing 15.22 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This research addresses the urgent challenge of mitigating CO2 emissions in Indian coal power plants by strategically deploying solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and integrating demand response mechanisms. The imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-based electricity generation underscores the critical context of climate change. Emphasizing the vital role of integrating renewable energy-based distributed generators into the existing coal infrastructure, this study positions solar PV technology as a promising solution. Optimal solar PV system allocation is achieved through the implementation of the genetic algorithm technique. Factors such as solar resource availability, electricity demand patterns, and the CO2 intensity associated with coal power generation are considered in this process. The primary research objective is twofold: to minimize CO2 emissions and maximize the integration of solar PV systems while mitigating power losses. The proposed approach considers the intermittent nature of solar power and the dynamic characteristics of demand. Rigorous testing on an IEEE 33-bus system powered by the studied coal power plant reveals a substantial 29.31% reduction in CO2 generation following the implementation of the proposed strategy. This research represents a decisive step towards fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape. Our study's outcomes offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the energy sector, providing a robust foundation for the advancement of environmentally conscious practices within the coal power industry.

Understanding the Legal Implications of Early Decommissioning: Case Studies of Foreign-Invested Coal Power Plants in Asia

This paper discusses the legal implications of the early decommissioning of unabated coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) for host countries. The paper outlines the contractual frameworks governing foreign-invested CFPPs in Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vietnam as well as the risks and costs that this framework poses for governments seeking early decommissioning. It uses a contract-based analysis to identify who would bear financial responsibility for the stranding risks associated with the policy-driven phase down or early closure of these coal power plants.

Coal thermal power plant magnetic fly ash as an accelerant for anaerobic digestion of cow dung and aloe peel residue: Optimizing the particle size under static magnetic field

Coal thermal power plant magnetic fly ash as an accelerant for anaerobic digestion of cow dung and aloe peel residue: Optimizing the particle size under static magnetic field

Water footprint assessment at the ultra-supercritical (USC) coal power plant in Malaysia.

The power generation sector consumes significant amounts of water. A comprehensive water footprint (WF) assessment helps identify and monitor the processes consuming high amounts of water. This research evaluates the water footprint (WF) of electricity generation at a USC coal power plant, integrating on-site data for enhanced reliability. Based on the Water Footprint Assessment Manual, the electricity WF includes supply chain and operational WF. This study exhibits that the average electricity WF is 2.96 m3/MWh. The supply chain WF accounts for 95% of the total electricity WF, while operational WF contributes 5%. The blue WF accounts for 9.9% of the total electricity WF, while the grey water footprint accounts for 90.1%. The results of this research show a significant difference in the distribution of blue and grey WF in electricity WF. Factors contributing to the differences include the amount of coal consumption, power generation technology and power plant cooling technology. Furthermore, this study shows that grey WF depends on the concentration of pollutants considered. This research also conducted a WF impact assessment on local water resources and found that the blue and grey operational WF contributes to low impact. Monitoring the water footprint associated with electricity generation at a coal power plant would provide a more enhanced understanding of water consumption patterns, which could help influence water resources management.

Analysis of the Existing Air Emissions Detection Methods for Stationary Pollution Sources Monitoring

The application of coal technologies for energy generation leads to high pollutant emissions. Thus, governmental and international organizations have created new programs and laws for monitoring emissions. Recently, the government of Kazakhstan has introduced regulations for the measurement of emissions produced by factories and power plants. However, the requirements and Corecommendations for the monitoring methods have not been defined. Therefore, this article addresses the problem and focuses on determining the measurement errors made by optical SGK510 and electrochemical POLAR devices used for coal power plants. The hypothesis is based on the fact that there are currently no systems for monitoring probe drying, and its implementation is expensive. The main methods are analyzed, namely their operation, taking into account the presence of water particles in samples, and the possibility of using adjustment coefficients is considered. The main pollutants chosen for analysis are CO, NO, NO2, NOx, SO2, and O2. Using the Broich–Pagan test, homoscedasticity was determined, and the Fisher test showed the possibility of using tuning coefficients. The data for the optical method were compared to measurements taken using Inspector 500. The error for SO2 determination was 7.19% for NO, 44.0985% for NO2, 733.26% for NOx, 7.39% for O2, 2.75% for CO, 60.81%. The comparison between SGK510 and POLAR demonstrated the following errors: for CO—1.5%, for NOx—82.4405%, for SO2—41.17%, for O2—11.61%. According to the Fisher criteria analysis of the optical method, only SO2 and CO values measured by SGK510 in comparison to Inspector 500 had close similarity, while others demonstrated high deviations. The significance tests were carried out by Fisher’s, t-test, and ANOVA methods. For the electrochemical measurement, only CO values had close similarity. In the future, methods will be proposed to improve the accuracy of the system while reducing maintenance costs, as well as cleaning sampling systems. The multicomponent analysis application for accuracy improvement with the exhaust gas humidity, temperature, and flow consideration was recommended as a possible solution.

Life cycle environmental impact assessment of the “Sindhuja-I” wave energy converter

The life cycle assessment (LCA) is an inevitable part of ocean wave energy systems. This paper presents an LCA of the Sindhuja-I ocean wave energy converter (WEC). The WEC is a point absorber type WEC tested at the Tuticorin port in India. This study utilized the ISO 14044 standard and SimaPro LCA software to assess the environmental impact of the WEC in comparison to a coal power plant, offshore wind, and tidal energy devices. The functional unit considered is the generation of 1 kWh of electricity. The WEC has a global warming potential of 174 gCO2-eq/kWh, showcasing an impressive 81.9% reduction in emissions compared to coal power plants. Stainless steel contributes significantly to emissions, accounting for 93.7%, 94.6%, 99.4%, and 94.1% of total CO2, NOx, SO2, and PM2.5 emissions, respectively. The paper emphasizes the potential environmental benefits of recycling WEC materials at the end of their lifespan. Furthermore, the study suggests that the longevity of a point absorber device can positively impact its overall environmental footprint, given its minimal moving parts and low maintenance requirements. The WEC has a promising environmental footprint of ocean wave energy conversion, particularly compared to traditional fossil fuel-based power generation.

Matching Analysis of Technical Parameters and Safety Standards for Nuclear Replacement of Coal-Fired Units

In the context of the growing share of renewable energy and the impending decommission of a large number of coal-fired units, nuclear energy is the only green energy that can replace coal power for a stable, clean, efficient, and large-scale power supply. This article compares the differences between coal power and nuclear power in terms of thermal system, thermal cycle, turbine parameters, and safety. It discusses the possibility of replacing the boiler of a coal power plant with nuclear power, that is, replacing the boiler of a coal power plant with a nuclear reactor for generation/heating/cogeneration. For coal-fired units with similar capacity that do not use a reheat cycle (at or below high pressure) and nuclear power units (such as a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor), as well as coal-fired units with a reheat cycle (ultra-high pressure and above) and nuclear power units (such as pressurized water reactors), there are great differences in steam parameters. In terms of steam turbines, the size of nuclear power units is relatively larger, requiring additional dehumidification measures. In addition, the safety factors and management methods considered in the site selection, construction, and operation of nuclear power plants are more stringent and complex, and comprehensive analysis and evaluation are needed in aspects such as waste treatment and accident emergency response. Except for the relevant provisions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers code for pressure vessels, nuclear power units are not compatible with coal-fired units in terms of safety standards. Therefore, considering comprehensively, it is believed that the scheme of nuclear power replacing coal-fired units for power generation/heating/cogeneration program is not feasible at present.

Optimal replacement of coal with wind and battery energy storage

Abstract Electric utilities are considering replacing their coal power plants with renewables and energy storage to reduce emissions. However, they have also expressed concerns about operational changes and system reliability brought by these replacements. Utilities in remote rural areas face more challenges as they also face energy insecurity while having limited interconnections to wider systems and reliance on imported fuels. Therefore, it is critical for remote utilities to understand different coal replacement approaches and their impacts on system expansion, operation and energy security. In this paper, we define and investigate three approaches to replace coal using wind and batteries: (1) replacing exact coal generation, (2) replacing at least coal generation, and (3) replacing total energy provided by coal. We develop a case study inspired by the small remote grid in Fairbanks, Alaska, which has a single limited interconnection with the grid south of it. We utilize a power system expansion and economic dispatch model that co-optimizes the capacities of wind and batteries required for each approach and the hourly dispatch of energy and reserves for one year. We further analyze the operational cost variability under fixed and fluctuating fuel prices. We find that replacing the exact coal generation requires minimal operational changes, but also significantly more wind and battery capacities. In contrast, replacing total energy provided by coal induces more cycling in other resources, challenging grids with limited flexibility-providing resources. However, replacing total energy provided by coal allows more generation variability in response to fuel price fluctuations, enhancing energy security.

Fewer than 15% of coal power plant workers in China can easily shift to green jobs by 2060

Fewer than 15% of coal power plant workers in China can easily shift to green jobs by 2060

Computational Prediction of Co-firing with Various Biomass Waste Using Turbulent Non-Premixed Combustion

Co-firing in coal power plants has limitations because the existing combustion systems are designed to provide optimal performance only with coal. Therefore, investigating the combustion aspects of co-firing by mixing coal with biomass before applying it to existing coal power plants is necessary. To address this, a new numerical model was developed to predict the co-firing behavior of coal with various types of biomass waste, specifically focusing on temperature and pollutant behavior. This study developed a co-firing model in a Drop Tube Furnace (DTF) using a composition of 25% Wood Chips (WC), 25% Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), 25% Empty Fruit Bunch Fibers (EFFR), and 25% Rice Husk (RH). A structured grid arrangement and the Probability Density Function (PDF) were utilized to depict the relationship between chemical combustion and turbulence. The distributions of temperature and mass fractions of pollutants along the furnace axis were predicted. The highest temperature was observed with 25% EFFR, attributed to its highest volatile matter content. The simulation predicted that 25% RH would be the lowest SO2 emitter. However, it also showed a slight increase in NO and CO levels due to the increased oxygen content when coal was mixed with biomass. The simulation with 25% EFFR predicted a decrease in CO2 emissions compared to other biomass types. The results of this parametric investigation could support the implementation of biomass co-firing technology in existing coal-fired power plants.

Draft genome sequence of heat-tolerant Escherichia coli strain AKS1GF CIFRI isolated from a coal power plant discharge in the river ganga.

Escherichia coli strain, AKS1GF ICAR-CIFRI, was isolated from a thermally contaminated water with average water temperatures of 45°C ± 2.5°C in river Ganga, India. The draft genome sequence is of 4.7 MB consisting of 44 contigs. The strain contains 4,314 protein coding genes and 96 RNA genes.