Alternative fuel firing in an atmospheric fluidized-bed combustion boiler. Final report. [Also with other waste fuels]

In 1981, Northern States Power Company converted its 15 MW French Island Unit No. 2 from a stoker-fired boiler to an atomspheric fluidized bed combustor designed to burn wood waste. A joint project between Northern States Power and the Electric Power Research Institute was subsequently established to determine the impact on operations, performance, and emissions of cofiring a variety of low-grade waste fuels with wood waste in this unit. Alternate waste fuels fired were shredded rubber tires, shredded railroad ties, refuse derived fuel, Minnesota peat, and sewage sludge. Each fuel was cofired with wood waste under steady boiler conditions for 50 to 100 hours. Results from the initial alternate fuel tests showed incomplete combustion of the fluidized bed combustor. To correct this problem the overfire air system was modified to improve mixing in the furnace volume above the fluidized bed. After the overfire air system was modified, the fluidized bed combustor proved able to burn all waste fuels effectively, except rubber tires which were not re-tested. Fuel handling problems were encountered with refuse derived fuel, peat and sewage sludge, but did not prevent their successful firing. Fluidized bed contamination was experienced with steel wire from rubber tires and stones andmore » steel pieces from railroad ties. Also, the particulate scrubber was overloaded when firing high ash fuels such as rubber tires and peat. 2 refs., 21 figs., 32 tabs.« less