A comparative study of microwave plasma and fuel-oil ignition systems for pulverized coal boiler start-up: Technical, environmental, and economic aspects

Öz

A microwave-assisted plasma-based auxiliary burner has been developed as an alternative to conventional fuel-oil-fired start-up burners in pulverized coal-fired boilers. Considering the complete replacement of fuel oil and the improved ignition efficiency, this technology offers a potentially more cost-effective solution. However, its economic viability must be demonstrated for such a technology to be widely implemented. The auxiliary burner developed in this study operates based on the principle of combusting pulverized coal within a plasma flame generated by ionizing air directed into the burner using microwave energy. Microwave energy at a frequency of 915 MHz is generated by a magnetron with an output power of 75 kW. An experimental test setup was established at the industrial scale on Unit-1 of the 22 MW_e Soma A Thermal Power Plant to conduct the cost-effective analysis of the alternative auxiliary burner. This paper demonstrates that, based on start-up tests performed on the boiler, the use of microwave-based plasma technologies for the complete replacement of fuel oil during the start-up of a pulverized coal boiler is feasible, achieving ignition at approximately one-third of the fuel and energy cost compared to conventional start-up methods. Industrial-scale emission measurements were conducted during the test campaigns on a 50-meter-high stack, with sampling carried out at a fixed platform located 38 meters above ground level. Microwave-assisted plasma ignition reduced CO₂ emissions by 3.85 tons per boiler start-up compared to conventional fuel-oil methods. The results indicate that the microwave-assisted auxiliary plasma burner is a technically viable, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly technology compared to conventional burners.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Microwave energy
• Pulverized coal
• Plasma combustion
• Auxiliary burner
• Boiler start-up

Kaynakça

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