Abstracts - VGB PowerTech Journal 4/2006

EURELECTRIC´s View on R&D Needs

Jacqueline Stubbe

In the rapidly evolving context of liberalisation and more stringent environmental regulations, the WG R&D of EURELECTRIC has concentrated its efforts on evaluating R&D needs and its organisation in order to meet the new challenges coming in the next decades. The results are presented.

EU's Clean Air for the Europe Programme and its Impact on the Electricity Industry

John Scowcroft and Anna Törner

The Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution tabled by the European Commission last September is a key element in the four-year Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Programme. The Strategy proposes quantitative and qualitative targets and measures and sets high ambition levels and will have a significant impact on future EU policies on air quality, especially the forthcoming revision of the 2001 National Emission Ceilings Directive. In a response, EURELECTRIC commented on the Strategy, and revealed critical items.

Potential of Renewable Energy in Poland

Thomas Kraneis and Andreas Wiese

The share of renewable energy sources (RES) in Poland’s coal-dominated electricity sector is still at a relatively small range of approx. 2,500 to 2,700 GWh (1.6 - 2%). However, regulatory and legal frameworks – geared towards the removal of earlier barriers – have already been put in place and can be expected to expedite the development of the main indigenous RES, namely hydro, wind and biomass. It is planned to increase renewables in the share of the country’s electricity consumption from 2.65% in 2003 to 7.5% in 2010.

E.ON Energie AG Builds New Power Plants in Germany – A Challenge under Uncertain Circumstances

Matthias Michel

A large number of conventional power plants will reach the end of their technical and economical lifetime within the next years. This makes it necessary to realize an enormous new building and investment programme, besides making use of a variety of other options. This means big challenges for all people involved, especially for the operating companies having to do this job under politically uncertain circumstances.
Under these prevailing circumstances, E.ON Energie AG has made the decision to set a signal with a very ambitious programme. First steps on this very uncertain but most necessary way are the construction projects for the power plants “Irsching 4”, “Irsching 5”, and “Datteln”.

Pumped Storage Plants in a New Framework – Challenges and Consequences

Dominik Godde and Josef F. Ciesiolka

Originally designed exclusively for peak load covering, pumped storage plants are now faced with new challenges brought about by the deregulation of the electricity market and the substantial growth of wind power capacity. Today’s pumped storage plants are started more frequently and often for shorter periods of time. The grid controlling tasks have increased the importance of the role played by this type of power plant and improved sales considerably. But the operational demands have grown substantially as well. This paper discusses the ensuing adaptation of power plant operation as well as options available to power plant operators.

Co-combustion of Biomass at Polaniec Power Plant, a Member of Electrabel-SUEZ Group

Igor Grela

Wishing to meet the growing demand for energy from renewable sources and environmental requirements and take advantage of possible economic benefits, Polaniec Power Plant, a member of Electrabel-SUEZ Group, launched the project consisting of co-combustion of biomass and hard coal. This almost EUR 10 M project was commissioned in the fall of 2004. Waste wood and secondary fuels are mainly used.

Design and Scale-up Philosophy of Once-through CFB Boilers with Supercritical Parameters

Arto Hotta and Ilkka Venäläinen

Ultra-supercritical boiler technology can significantly increase the efficiency of a Rankine cycle power plant, and reduce fuel consumption for a given output, thus proportionally reducing all pollutant and waste streams including CO2 emissions. However, the benefits of elevated steam conditions must be balanced with plant cost, reliability, and operational flexibility Circulating fluidised bed (CFB) boilers have the potential to extend the limits of the technology and also further reduce emission levels.

Operation of Flue Gas Denitrification Plants Utilising DENOX Catalysts

Michael J. Frank, Heinz Gutberlet and Jürgen Brandenstein

An overview over the history and operating practice of German power plants equipped with SCR plants is given. Starting point for today’s installations was the revision of German environmental legislation in the eighties. As a consequence, new processes and secondary measures for denitrification of flue gases were developed which are briefly described. The most efficient and economic process quickly was proven to be the selective catalytic reaction (SCR) which is presented in its basic features.
After explanation of the main design parameters the most common operating problems
are discussed and practicable measures are shown. Especially the causes of catalyst deactivation will be discussed. Catalyst examinations according to the VGB standard VGB-R 392 He have been established as a proven and efficient tool.

Flue Gas Desulphurisation on Power Plant in the United Kingdom

Anthony V. Howard and Nicholas J. Booth

The application of flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) to United Kingdom power plant extends from the world’s first FGD plant, which was installed at Battersea Power Station, London in 1933, through to the most modern FGD designs which are in the project development phase now. The latter plants are being installed in order to comply with the European Commission revised Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) (2001/80/EC). General conditions as well as details on the future operation of power plants in Great Britain will be discussed.

Tubular Type Heat Flux Meter for Monitoring Internal Scale Deposits in Steam Boilers

Jan Taler and Dawid Taler

Internal scale or corrosion deposits are an effective insulating barrier to the transfer of heat from flame to steam. A numerical process for determining heat loads of evaporator tubes, medium temperature and thermal resistance on the internal side of the measuring tubes are presented. Thanks to the on-line operating system for monitoring the formation of internal scales, the lifetime of evaporator tubes and an improved operation of the entire boiler.

Advanced Silo Technology for Fly Ash Utilisation in the Mehrum Power Plant

Paul Otte and Jörg K. Schulze

Fly ash from coal-fired power plants shall be almost completely utilised although coals and ash contents are frequently changing. The Mehrum Power Plant has implemented an advanced concept of ash handling and storage with its new silo. From the first operation more than one year ago, the new large storage silo was trouble-free, with an automated loading system, which offers a significant decrease in truck loading times of service provider BauMineral.

Electro-degradation of Nitrate Ions and Ammonia from Power Stations Effluents
The ELONITA Technique

Dominique Corbisier, Lieve Verelst, Yves Vanlangendonck and Andre Van Lierde

Power plant effluents contain ammonia and nitrate. Therefore, Laborelec, in co-operation with the University of Louvain (UCL, Belgium), refined a technique involving the electrochemical destruction of nitrate and ammonium ions with a view to transforming them into nitrogen gas. This technology employs an electrochemical cell with suitable electrons that favour the desired reactions. The pilot plant was finished in March 2004. Tests proving the reliability of the process in large scale and the economic aspects will start soon.

The Working Reliability Regulation – Relevant Regulations for Fire- and Explosion Protection

Ursula Aich

On 3rd October 2002, the law on operation and plant safety has been regulated anew, i.e. mainly operational explosion protection was summarised and harmonised in one ordinance. The paper will describe the requirements on fire- and explosion protection that are coined by the European Directive on labour protection, i.e. the Directive 1999/92/EG.