FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTION BOILERS

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

FLUIDISED BED
COMBUSTION
FBC is a viable option for
Pulverised coal fueled units for the
combustion of Solid fuels in a
boiler.
SO2 emissions could be controlled
from FBC units
Nox emission is inherently low.
FBC units are fuel flexible, with the
capability of firing a wide range of
solid fuels with varying heating
value, ash content and moisture
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

ADVANTAGES OF FBC
SO2

removal by adding limestone or dolomite to

the bed eliminating the need for an external
desulfurization process
Can burn variety of fuels with same efficiency as
that of coal
in Nox emission (50-150ppm) due to
reduced combustion temperature
Boiler can be operated at lower load &
temperature
Coal particle size upto 12mm (even 50mm) &
70% ash content, low grade coal can be burned
efficiently.
Reduction

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Slagging

and fouling reduced as

combustion takes place below
ash fusion temperature (1100oC).
Higher combustion efficiency
99.9%
Saves 10% on operating cost and
15% capital cost for a 120MW
boiler
Volatilization of ash constituents
like alkali metals are minimized
and ash particles are nonabrasive and soft
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

What is
FLUIDISED BED COMBUSTION?
Air

at a prescribed velocity is passed

evenly through a packed bed of containing
fuel (coal, coke, biomass etc.,) and bed
material (ash, sand, etc.,) such that the
bed left highly turbulent to vigorous
mixing of particles. The particles are
suspended in the air like a violently boiling
liquid and burning the fuel at this state is
called FBC. The air had been preheated to
the ignition temperature of the fuel by an
auxiliary fuel before it enters the bed.
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

FLUIDISED

BED DISTRIBUTOR

PLATE

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

How Fluidised Bed

behaves?
Watch

Video FBC1

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Fluidized Bed in action

Watch

FBC2

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Types of FBC Boilers

Atmospheric

Fluidized Bed Combustor

(AFBC)
Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustor
(PFBC)
-----------------------AFBC has the bed maintained at
atmospheric pressure.
AFBC is classified as
Bubbling Fluidized Bed Boiler (1.53m/sec)
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

ATMOSPHERIC BUBBLING
FLUIDIZED BED BOILER

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATING
FLUIDISED BED BOILER
When

using alternative fuels like

agricultural waste, garbage, paper,
these may flew off the bed. The other
heavy incombustibles may block the
distributor. To overcome these problem
Circulating FBB has the following
Provision of sloping distributor
Non-uniform air velocity
Bending the FBC wall to contain light
particles
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

Show

Video

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

PRESSURIZED FLUIDIZED BED

COMBUSTOR

Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE

CFBB Vs BFBB
CFB

allows excellent gas-solid and

solid-solid mixing
Any kind of fuel can be used
Addition of limestone & dolomite
retains sulphur
Low Nox emission (50-150ppm)
Less floor area hence high heat
release create per unit furnace cross
section
Can respond to rapid load changes
Jerry Andrew, Mech Dept, MCE