FACTORS AFFECTING EMISSION

FUEL CHARACTRESTICS
NITROGEN IN FUEL
SULPHER IN FUEL
VOLATILES IN FUEL
BOILER LOAD
BOILER DIMENSIONING

Nox Formation in Fluidized Bed Boilers

Combustion generates nitrogen compounds (nitrogen oxides
NOx) and of these compounds the most important are
nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Generally
NOx emissions consist of 95 % NO and 5 % of NO2.
The formation of NOx is explained by three different mechanisms
Fuel
1. NOx is formed from the nitrogen existing in the fuel when
High Oxygen Concentration (Excess air)
High Volatiles (N2 bound to volatile part of Fuel)
Thermal
2.
NOx results from the reaction between the oxygen and
nitrogen from the air high temperatures
Occurs at temperatures above 1400 - 1600 C
3.
Prompt
(fast) NOx is attributed to the reaction of atmospheric N2 with
hydrocarbon compounds.
Insignificant in fluidized bed combustion.

Methods of control of NOx in BFB

Primary methods are:
Controlling air staging and excess air

Limiting

bed

and

freeboard

temperatures
Selecting fuels with low N content
Secondary methods:
SNCR
SCR

Combustion Air Staging

TA
Ports

TA
Ports

SA
Ports

SA
Ports

OFA
Ports
SA Header
Pressure Control
by
PIC 035010

Ratio of Air Staging

30
%
70
%

NOx emission control at partial load operation

NOx emission control in partial load is difficult, because
The opportunity to use air staging becomes weak.
Use of recirculation gas compensates partly
weakened air staging.
Temperature dependency of SNCR method.

SNCR (Selective Non Catalytic Reduction)

In SNCR ammonia water solution or urea is injected straight to the furnace
and is mixed with the hot flue gas. Ammonia (NH3) reacts with nitrogen
Oxides (NOx) producing water (H2O) and nitrogen (N2).
The main reaction that happens to ammonia:
4 NH3 + 4 NO + O2 4 N2 + 6 H2O
The main reaction to urea (NH2CONH2):
NH2CONH2 + H2O 2NH3 + CO2 and
4NO+4NH3 +O2 4N2 +6H2O
The optimum temperature is between 850 and 1000 C.
NOx reduction is typically 25 - 50 %.

SCR Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx.

It is the most effective NOx reduction method.

The reactions for aqueous ammonia are:

4 NO + 4NH3 + O2 4 N2 + 6 H2O

NO+NO2 +2NH3 2N2 +3H2O

The catalyst speeds up the reaction. The catalyst is not consumed in the reaction

Catalyst can be dimensioned to achieve required NOx reduction of up to 95 %.

The operating temperature of the catalytic NOx reduction is between 260 350
with biomass.

SOx Control
Dry FGD using Lime Stone
Calcination Reaction @ 600 C to 750 C
CaCO3 + Heat
CaO + CO2
Desulfurization reaction @ 700 C to 850 C temperature
CaO + SO2 + O2
CaSO4

Heat

Ca/S Ratio for Lime Stone: 3.8 4.0

Sox Capture Efficiency in FBC boilers: 70.0 %

CO Emission Control
Furnace Temperature > 600 Deg C
Excess O2 : 3.5 6.0 % (Typical for AFBC Boilers)
Good Turbulence
Boiler Load