Coal-fired Power Generation Handbook

Coal accounts for approximately one quarter of world energy consumption and of the coal produced worldwide approximately 65% is shipped to electricity producers and 33% to industrial consumers, with most of the remainder going to consumers in the residential and commercial sectors.  The total share of total world energy consumption by coal is expected to increase to almost 30% in 2035. 

This book describes the challenges and steps by which electricity is produced form coal and deals with the challenges for removing the environmental objections to the use of coal in future power plants.  New technologies are described that could virtually eliminate the sulfur, nitrogen, and mercury pollutants that are released when coal is burned for electricity generation.  In addition, technologies for the capture greenhouse gases emitted from coal-fired power plants are described and the means of preventing such emissions from contributing to global warming concerns.  

Written by one of the world’s leading energy experts, this volume is a must-have for any engineer, scientist, or student working in this field, providing a valuable reference and guide in a quickly changing field. 

James G. Speight, PhD, has more than forty-five years of experience in energy, environmental science, and ethics. He is the author of more than 65 books in petroleum science, petroleum engineering, biomass and biofuels, and environmental sciences. Although he has always worked in private industry which focused on contract-based work, Dr. Speight has served as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemical and Fuels Engineering at the University of Utah and in the Departments of Chemistry and Chemical and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Wyoming. In addition, he was a Visiting Professor in the College of Science, University of Mosul, Iraq , and has also been a Visiting Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Technical University of Denmark, and the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Preface xvii

Part I: Origin and Properties 1

1 History, Occurrence, and Resources 3

1.1 Introduction 3

1.2 Origin of Coal 8

1.3 Occurrence 12

1.4 Coal Utilization and Coal Types 14

1.5 Resources 22

1.6 Reserves 26

1.7 Energy Independence 31

References 33

2 Classification 37

2.1 Introduction 37

2.2 Nomenclature of Coal 39

2.3 Classification Systems 43

2.4 Coal Petrography 59

2.5 Correlation of the Various Systems 62

References 65

3 Recovery, Preparation, and Transportation 67

3.1 Introduction 67

3.2 Coal Recovery 69

3.3 Coal Preparation 78

3.4 Size Reduction 87

3.5 Coal Cleaning 92

3.6 Coal Drying 98

3.7 Desulfurization 104

3.8 Transportation 105

References 109

4 Storage 113

4.1 Introduction 113

4.2 Stockpiling 115

4.4 Spontaneous Ignition 124

4.5 Mechanism of Spontaneous Ignition 134

4.6 Preventing Spontaneous Ignition 137

References 138

5 General Properties 143

5.1 Introduction 143

5.2 Sampling 149

5.3 Proximate Analysis 154

5.4 Ultimate Analysis 167

5.5 Calorific Value 174

5.6 Reporting Coal Analyses 176

References 180

6 Physical, Mechanical, Thermal, and Electrical Properties 187

6.1 Introduction 187

6.2 Physical Properties 190

6.3 Mechanical Properties 200

6.4 Thermal Properties 207

6.5 Electrical Properties 214

6.6 Epilog 217

References 217

Part II: Power Generation 223

7 Combustion 225

7.1 Introduction 225

7.2 General Aspects 230

7.3 Chemistry and Physics 232

7.4 Catalytic Combustion 249

7.5 Fuels 249

References 269

8 Combustion Systems 275

8.1 Introduction 275

8.2 Combustion Systems 278

8.3 Fuel Feeders 303

References 304

9 Gasification 307

9.1 Introduction 307

9.2 General Aspects 309

9.3 Chemistry and Physics 325

9.4 Catalytic Gasification 334

9.5 Plasma Gasification 335

9.6 Gaseous Products 336

9.7 Underground Gasification 341

References 344

10 Gasification Systems 349

10.1 Introduction 349

10.2 Gasifier Types 352

10.3 Fixed-Bed Processes 358

10.4 Fluidized-Bed Processes 367

10.5 Entrained-Bed Processes 381

10.6 Molten Salt Processes 386

10.7 Other Designs 390

10.8 Gasifier-Feedstock Compatibility 396

10.8.7 Propensity for Char Formation 400

10.8.8 Mineral Matter Content 400

10.8.9 Ash Yield 400

10.9 Energy Balance and Other Design Options 401

10.10 Underground Gasification 402

References 406

11 Electric Power Generation 409

11.1 Introduction 409

11.2 Electricity From Coal 412

11.3 Steam Generation 415

11.4 Control of Emissions 425

11.5 Power Plant Efficiency 428

11.6 Combined Cycle Generation 432

References 435

12 Gas Cleaning 437

12.1 Introduction 437

12.2 General Aspects 437

12.3 Air Pollution Control Devices 445

12.4 Particulate Matter Removal 449

12.5 Acid Gas Removal 458

12.6 Removal of Sulfur-Containing Gases 462

12.7 Removal of Nitrogen-Containing Gases 465

12.8 Environmental Legislation 467

References 469

13 Clean Coal Technologies for Power Generation 473

13.1 Introduction 473

13.2 Historical Perspectives 480

13.3 Modern Perspectives 481

13.4 Clean Coal Technology 483

13.5 Managing Wastes from Coal Use 504

13.6 Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration 506

References 514

14 Environmental Issues 519

14.1 Introduction 519

14.2 Coal Preparation 521

14.3 Transportation and Storage 523

14.4 Combustion 525

14.5 Gasification 532

14.6 Power Plant Waste 536

14.7 The Future 553

References 556

Part III: Alternative Feedstocks and Energy Security 559

15 Alternate Feedstocks 561

15.1 Introduction 561

15.2 Viscous Feedstocks 562

15.3 Biomass 575

15.4 Waste 605

References 610

16 Combustion of Alternate Feedstocks 613

16.1 Introduction 613

16.2 Viscous Feedstocks 615

16.3 Biomass 619

16.4 Solid Waste 632

References 638

17 Gasification of Alternate Feedstocks 641

17.1 Introduction 641

17.2 Viscous Feedstocks 643

17.3 Biomass 651

17.4 Solid Waste 656

17.5 Process Products 667

References 673

18 Coal and Energy Security 679

18.1 Introduction 679

18.2 Energy Security 683

18.3 The Future of Coal 687

18.4 Sustainable Development 694

References 701

Conversion Factors 705

Glossary 709

Index 753

About the Author 759

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.