1) Advantages and Limitations of Biomass Co-combustion in Fossil Fired Power Plants
2) KOMET 650 - Joint Research Project on 650 Degree Materials Completed
4) Modernisation of Power Plants, Retrofit - VGB PowerTech Journal 4/2008
Co-combustion of biomass is an important technology for CO2-neutral electricity generation. In many countries biomass co-combustion is one of the most economic ways to save CO2. Co-combustion of biomass is practiced in numerous plants, especially in Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, Italy and United Kingdom. This paper demonstrates the advantages and limitations for biomass co-combustion. Many problems connected to co-firing can be meliorated or solved. Some problems and their respective solution measures for technology and market are also described within this paper.
http://www.vgb.org/en/news_biomass_co_combustion_march2008.html
In the KOMET 650 testing facility, materials for coal-fired steam turbine power stations have been tested at temperatures up to 650 Degree Celsius for 10 years. The materials were stressed to their limits and exposed to realistic power station conditions. The project was completed in March 2008. The findings and data obtained can be used both in the construction of the new generation of power stations with temperatures above 600 Degree Celsius and for the 600 Degree Celsius plants already in operation. Even in power stations with the highest process parameters (700 Degree Celsius/350 bar), a number of components work in the temperature range investigated, enabling the findings to be used here also. The results are published in the March Issue of the VGB PowerTech (printed in German), English papers of all related articles are available on the internet.
http://www.vgb.org/en/pt_03_2008_e.html
The foundation of a new VGB-WP "Kühltechnik in Kraftwerken" (cooling systems in power plants) has been prepared in terms of organizational and technical matters.
Preliminarily consultations proof that in the course of the hydraulic/thermal design of (re-)cooling devices a number of technically and economically significant adjustments to civil engineering aspects are necessary. Currently it has been recognized that - especially referring to natural draught cooling towers - thermal impacts due to variable operational temperatures are to be indicated mutually for an appropriate application in the scope of the structural design.
Concerning fire resistance of different used fill materials it is to mention that - in contrary to specifications of the VGB Instruction Sheet M621 - polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) sometimes are assigned to class B3 (German Standard DIN 4102), depending on the product itself.
Further consideration of design/execution essentials are running.
For further information:
mailto:juergen.lenz@vgb.org
Main topics of the April issue are: Role of 700 Grad Celsius Technology for a low-Carbon Power Supply (low-Carbon); Highest Efficiency, Flexibility and Stability of Steam Power Plant Units by New Control Stratgies; RWE Power and Siemens Implement IEC 61850 in Power Plant Auxiliary Power Supply.
Abstracts of all articles are available here:
http://www.vgb.org/en/current_issue.html