The future challenges for “clean coal technologies”: Joining efficiency increase and pollutant emission control

Abstract

Coal offers an abundant widely spread fossil energy resource. It is available at a quite stable price from many international suppliers and it will continue to play a significant role in new generating capacity, if security and diversity of supply remain fundamental. In this paper we point out the state of the art in the field of "Clean Coal Technologies" evidencing the perspectives of improvement and the critical elements. Both the emission control of NO x , SO x and Particle Matter and the advanced coal conversion pathways like USC, PFBC and IGCC are reviewed and analysed. At the end some elements concerning the perspectives of CO 2 emission control strategies are outlined.

Ignition of Water Coal Particles Coated with a Waterfilm in the Stream of High-Temperature Environment

“…The temperature of oxidant has been controlled by chromel-alumel thermocouple (4) (measurement error not less than 0,01K). A particle of coal-water fuel (5) hanging on the needle thermocouple (6), has been placed on the cylinder axis, remote-controlled from the computer (7) coordinate device (8). Video recording of processes of thermal preparation, ignition and combustion of coal-water fuel particles has been carried a video camera high-speed (9).…”

“…It is also worth noting that the efficiency of power generation (thermal or electric) renewable energy at the moment of time is low (<30%) [4]. Therefore, we can say with confidence that in the near future (according to forecasts [8]), coal will remain the main energy resources. However, traditional methods of burning coal (e.g., a torch [5] or layers [6]) do not provide satisfactory indicators emissions of oxides of nitrogen and sulfur.…”

“…Recent ones stimulate the creation and implementation of new (ecological and energy perspective), the so-called "clean" coal technologies. [7] Developed technical solutions (using a low-temperature plasma [8], the microwave energy [9], and the circulating fluidized bed [10]) that reduce emissions of toxic substances have not found wide implementation in the overall balance of heat and power generation, due to the high cost and complexity of the equipment. One of the most promising areas -the creation and implementation of new, environmentally "clean" fuel compositions such as hydrocarbon fuel.…”

Biomass and waste incineration CHP: the co-benefits of primary energy savings, reduced emissions and costs

“…At this time, however, greenhouse gas emissions were in practice not considered an issue. For a new unit called KVV6, the pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC), which is a clean coal technology [13]. PFBC made it possible to remove 95-99% of the SO x and NO x formed.…”

A Critical Review of Mineral Matter Related Issues during Gasification of Coal in Fixed, Fluidized, and Entrained Flow Gasifiers

“…Emergence of clean coal technologies is seen as a means of reducing coal's environmental footprint [3]. Among the clean coal technologies, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) provides a great promise due to its high efficiency, lower pollutant emissions, potential carbon capture and sequestration, flexibility in handling a variety of feedstock, and ability to utilize byproducts in various industries [3,4]. However, for successful operation and wide spread commercialization of these efficient utilization technologies requires an understanding and mitigation of mineral matter related issues [5,6].…”