Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emissions in Romania, by Reabilitation the Aged Power Plants Based on a New Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion Technology - CFBC

Abstract

The low quality of coal available for Romania power generation, mainly lignite with a low calorific value (6,5–7 MJ/Kg) and high in sulfur content (1,5–2%), has caused severe damages to the stations and environmental problems. In this paper is presented the local capability existing in clean and efficient Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) technology, well suited to least costs refurbishment. The retrofit operation using this clean technology would also address the problem of serious air pollution caused by local coal use with little or no control of dust or greenhouse gases like NO_x and SO_x. The paper presents the results as obtained on the experimental facility — 1 MWth CFBC pilot plant, over laborious research works. A comparison among several rehabilitation possibilities with the view to diminish polluting emissions is included. The CFBC technology advantages and environmental benefits, for Romania and its neighbor countries, by choosing this clean coal technology, are reviewed in the paper. In addition the paper presents the main aspects of technical investments for a few power plants equipped with supplementary devices for controlling the SOx and NOx in comparison with retrofit by using CFBC boilers.