Combustion, grate-firing

It is useful to examine the combustion process appHed to soHd wastes as fuels and sources of energy. AH soHd wastes are quite variable in composition, moisture content, and heating value. Consequendy, they typically are burned in systems such as grate-fired furnaces or duidized-bed boilers where significant fuel variabiUty can be tolerated. 

Formation of Airborne Emissions. Airborne emissions are formed from combustion of waste fuels as a function of certain physical and chemical reactions and mechanisms. In grate-fired systems, particulate emissions result from particles being swept through the furnace and boiler in the gaseous combustion products, and from incomplete oxidation of the soHd particles, with consequent char carryover. If pile burning is used, eg, the mass bum units employed for unprocessed MSW, typically only 20—25% of the unbumed soHds and inerts exit the combustion system as flyash. If spreader-stoker technologies are employed, between 75 and 90% of the unbumed soHds and inerts may exit the combustion system in the form of flyash. 

Formation of emissions from fluidised-bed combustion is considerably different from that associated with grate-fired systems. Flyash generation is a design parameter, and typically >90% of all soHds are removed from the system as flyash. SO2 and HCl are controlled by reactions with calcium in the bed, where the lime-stone fed to the bed first calcines to CaO and CO2, and then the lime reacts with sulfur dioxide and oxygen, or with hydrogen chloride, to form calcium sulfate and calcium chloride, respectively. SO2 and HCl capture rates of 70—90% are readily achieved with fluidi2ed beds. The limestone in the bed plus the very low combustion temperatures inhibit conversion of fuel N to NO. ... 

Grate-fired combustors are in use for old biomass-fired plant, while fluid bed combustors are rapidly becoming the preferred technology for biomass combustion because of their low NOx emissions. 

In grate-fired boilers, the biomass is fed in a thin layer, so it is evenly distributed over a sloped stationary, traveling, or vibrating grate. Improved control over the combustion process can be achieved with better carbon conversion. Fluidized-bed combustors are more complex systems, but offer much better control of combustion temperature, improved carbon conversion, and fuel flexibility. Using a boiler to produce both heat and electricity (co-generation) can improve the overall system efficiency to as much as 85 percent. Boiler efficiencies are affected by fuel moisture content, air-fuel ratio, excess air, combustion temperature, and biomass ash content. 

Table 27-21 gives typical values or ranges of these criteria for gas, oil, and coal. The furnace release rates are important, for they establish maximum local absorption rates within safe hmits. They also have a bearing on completeness of combustion and therefore on efficiency and particulate emissions. Limiting heat release on grates (in stoker firing) will minimize carbon loss, control smoke, ana avoid excessive fly a. ... 

The chamber is externally insulated and clad. Combustion equipment for solid fuel may be spreader or traveling-grate stokers or by pulverized fuel or fluid bed. Oil and gas burners may be fitted either as main or auxiliary firing equipment. The boilers will incorporate superheaters, economizers and, where necessary, air preheaters, grit arresters, and gas-cleaning equipment to meet clean air legislation. 

PF burners and fluid beds best meet requirements for dual- and triple-fuel firing including solid fuel as one option. PF burners are particularly suitable, as no static grate exists to compromise the design. They also have a combustion geometry which is similar to gas and oil, and therefore the flame can be arranged to allow full development of flame shape and maximum radiant heat transfer surface utilization. 

When a coke or other fire of suitable depth has been obtained on the grate, the receptacle B is charged with fuel, and the lid C firmly closed valves I and V are closed and valve F opened, then air under suitable pressure is admitted through L and G this causes the fuel to burn with rise in temperature of the unburnt portion, while the products of combustion, containing about 20 per cent, of carbon dioxide and 70 per cent, of nitrogen, escape by the passage E. 

Fig. 5. Developmental concept for a process for the conversion of trees to electricity (12). Dried trees are cut into sections that will fit the boiler chamber. Successive rams push the trees into a charge pit, and then into the furnace. Although larger than a gas-fired boiler, the whole-tree-energy boiler is otherwise similar. The greater height helps achieve a high heat-release rate and complete combustion. Cinders from the burning bed of trees fall through a grate into an area where any remaining carbon in the material bums away. Air is fed into the boiler both below and above the bed of trees to promote complete...

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