Conversion of oil-fired boilers to coal-derived liquid fuels. Final report

This report deals with the Conversion of Oil-Fired Boilers to Coal-Derived Liquid Fuels. Detailed characteristics of five types of Exxon Donor Solvent Coal-Derived Liquid Fuels (EDS fuels) were furnished by Exxon Research and Engineering Company for comparison with a typical No. 6 fuel oil. Three existing oil-fired power plants were surveyed to identify problems, if any, associated with handling, storage, pumping, and burning of EDS fuels. Handling system, storage, pump, boiler and associated equipment manufacturers were contacted and requested to comment on the effects the various types of EDS fuels would have on the equipment. Based on this information, the modifications to handling, storage, and burning equipment were qualified for each type of EDS fuel. An engineering order-of-magnitude estimate was prepared for each plant. It was concluded that only the Type 3 EDS fuel, which is a very heavy product containing the 700/sup 0/F plus products, would require significant modifications to existing equipment and operating procedures at oil-fired power plants. The four remaining types of EDS fuels could be used as boiler fuels if modifications and/or parallel equipment were installed. Additional treatment of the EDS fuel during the liquefaction process, or the development of an additive that would make EDS fuels compatible with petroleum fuels, might eliminate the need for modifications and/or parallel equipment. The cost of modifications varies for each plant and fuel combination, and ranged from approximately $250,000 to $3,400,000. Finally, actual combustion tests of EDS fuels should be performed when sufficient quantities are available to confirm the results of this report.