Effects of Different Fuels on Combustion Boiler Processes : The analysis of alternative fuel mixtures

Abstract: The objective of this study is to investigate the eect of dierent fuels on two uidized bed boiler systemsat the energy company Soderenergi's site in Igelsta, called IKV and IGV P3. Today, recovered wastewood (RWW) is the major fuel share fed into the boilers. However, with an insecure fuel supply in thefuture, other fuel types must be considered. Based on knowledge from previous fuel usage in the boilers,an evaluation of how other potential fuel mixtures may eect the operation is conducted. The additionalfuels considered in the fuel blends are; stem wood chips, cutter shavings, solid recycled fuel (SRF) andrubber.With elemental analysis of the fuels and established key numbers, the previous fuel mixtures are evaluated.The indications by the guiding parameters are compared with experienced problems and the formercondition of the boilers, and the risk limits for the key numbers are adjusted to a suitable level. Thepotential mixtures are evaluated with the key numbers and the updated limits. In addition to the keynumbers, the heavy metal concentration, the heating value, the moisture content and the ash content ofthe fuel blends are included in the evaluation. The considered damages in the boilers caused by the fuelblends are corrosion, sintering and fouling.The damage level from the current fuel usage for IKV and IGV P3 is fairly low. The results from theanalyzed fuel mixtures show an increased damage risk in the boilers. Additionally, adjustments of theboiler systems are required by some of the analyzed fuel mixtures. In general, the corrosion risk andthe heavy metal content will increase in comparison with today's fuel. The fouling and slagging are aswell expected to increase for the assessed fuel mixtures. Moreover, the result illustrates an increased ashgeneration, which demands a reconstruction of the ash cooling system for IKV. Furthermore, the increaseof LHV in the assessed fuel mixtures to IGV P3, is likely to require an increased capacity of the ue gasrecirculation pump.In the analysis of the potential fuel mixtures it is found that the corrosion risk expressed by the keynumbers is reduced with a higher share of rubber. The heavy metal content is, however, increased,leading to e.g. an enhanced risk for formation of eutectic salts, which as well are corrosive. On thecontrary, the fuel mixtures with a high risk expressed by the key numbers, have the lowest concentrationsof heavy metals. Due to the results are con icting, a balance between the risk indicated by the keynumbers and the heavy metal concentration must be considered in the evaluation. The fuel mixturesconsidered causing least damage to IKV are a mixture of 42% RWW, 48% wood fuel and 15% SRF, and amixture of 70% wood fuel, 20% SRF and 10% rubber. The fuel mixtures considered causing least damageto IGV P3 are a mixture of 85% RWW and 15% rubber and a mixture of 70% RWW and 30% SRF.