Numerical Analysis of a Solar Air Preheating Coal Combustion System for Power Generation
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 4
Abstract
A new type of solar-aided power generation plant has been proposed and numerically analyzed in this work. It is composed of a parabolic trough collector field, based on gas-phase nanofluid, coupled with a flameless coal burner. In this system, high-temperature solar thermal energy is used to preheat combustion air before it is sent to the burner. In the first part of this study, the solar field was sized in order to optimize its performance in coupling with the coal-fired power plant. The simulations, which resulted in 2,585 feasible solutions, explained the relationship between solar energy introduced into the burner, the parabolic trough collector field surface, and heat storage mass. In the second part of this work, a computational fluid dynamics analysis of the coal burner was carried out, in order to reach, as much as possible, a flameless operating condition, assuming provision of solar energy to the burner. At the same time, in order to keep the final flame temperature and the overall heat exchange conditions unchanged, it was considered useful to increase the external exhaust gas recirculation fraction in equal measure with the increase of the thermal input. The computational fluid dynamics analysis demonstrated that the increase in the temperature of the combustion air, due to solar input, intensifies the staging effect. In addition, the recirculation zone (more intense), resulting in flame shortening and rapid mixing of reagents and combustion products, yielded very uniform conditions in terms of chemical species and temperatures in the rest of the combustion chamber. All this contributed to a significant reduction in terms of NOx emission.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the INNOVASOL project (PON02-00323-3588246), funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR).
References
Allani, Y. 1997. “ mitigation through the use of hybrid solar-combined cycles.” Energy Convers. Manage. 38: S661–S667. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(97)00012-5.
Al-Sulaiman, F. A. 2014. “Exergy analysis of parabolic trough solar collectors integrated with combined steam and organic Rankine cycles.” Energy Convers. Manage. 77: 441–449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.10.013.
Baghernejad, A., and M. Yaghoubi. 2010. “Exergy analysis of an integrated solar combined cycle system.” Renewable Energy 35 (10): 2157–2164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2010.02.021.
Baghernejad, A., and M. Yaghoubi. 2011. “Exergoeconomic analysis and optimization of an integrated solar combined cycle system (ISCCS) using genetic algorithm.” Energy Convers. Manage. 52 (5): 2193–2203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.12.019.
Bakos, G. C., and D. Parsa. 2013. “Technoeconomic assessment of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant in Greece using line-focus parabolic trough collectors.” Renewable Energy 60: 598–603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.05.025.
Behar, O., A. Khellaf, K. Mohammedi, and S. Ait-Kaci. 2014. “A review of integrated solar combined cycle system (ISCCS) with a parabolic trough technology.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 39: 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.07.066.
Bireswar, P., and D. Amitava. 2008. “Burner development for the reduction of NOx emissions from coal fired electric utilities.” Recent Pat. Mech. Eng. 1 (3): 175–189. https://doi.org/10.2174/2212797610801030175.
Cau, G., D. Cocco, and V. Tola. 2012. “Performance and cost assessment of integrated solar combined cycle systems (ISCCSs) using as heat transfer fluid.” Solar Energy 86 (10): 2975–2985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2012.07.004.
Colangelo, G., E. Favale, P. Miglietta, A. de Risi, M. Milanese, and D. Laforgia. 2015. “Experimental test of an innovative high concentration nanofluid solar collector.” Appl. Energy 154: 874–881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.031.
Colangelo, G., E. Favale, P. Miglietta, M. Milanese, and A. de Risi. 2016. “Thermal conductivity, viscosity and stability of -diathermic oil nanofluids for solar energy systems.” Energy 95: 124–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.11.032.
Colangelo, G., M. Milanese, and A. de Risi. 2017. “Numerical simulation of thermal efficiency of an innovative nanofluid solar thermal collector: Influence of nanoparticles concentration.” Therm. Sci. 21 (6): 2769–2779. https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI151207168C.
de Risi, A., M. Milanese, and D. Laforgia. 2013. “Modelling and optimization of transparent parabolic trough collector based on gas-phase nanofluids.” Renewable Energy 58: 134–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.03.014.
Dersch, J., M. Geyer, U. Herrmann, S. A. Jones, B. Kelly, R. Kistner, W. Ortmanns, R. Pitz-Paal, and H. Price. 2004. “Trough integration into power plants: A study on the performance and economy of integrated solar combined cycle system.” Energy 29 (5–6): 947–959. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-5442(03)00199-3.
Elhaj, M. A., K. K. Matrawy, and J. S. Yassin. 2006. “Theoretical analysis of a solar combined cycle power plant.” In Proc., 3rd BSME–ASME Int. Conf. on Thermal Engineering. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Society of Mechanical Engineers.
Elsaket, G. 2007. “Simulating the integrated solar combined cycle for power plants application in Libya.” Master thesis, School of Engineering, Cranfield Univ.
El-Sayed, M. A. H. 2005. “Solar supported steam production for power generation in Egypt.” Energy Policy 33 (10): 1251–1259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2003.11.021.
Fletcher, T. H., A. R. Kerstein, R. J. Pugmire, and D. M. Grant. 1990. “Chemical percolation model for devolatilization. 2. Temperature and heating rate effects on product yields.” Energy Fuels 4 (1): 54–60. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00019a010.
Fletcher, T. H., A. R. Kerstein, R. J. Pugmire, M. S. Solum, and D. M. Grant. 1992. “Chemical percolation model for devolatilization: Direct use of 13 C NMR data to predict effects of coal type.” Energy Fuels 6 (4): 414–431. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00034a011.
Fluent. 2002. 3D simulation of the IFRF industrial pulverized-coal furnace. Lebanon, NH: Fluent.
Fluent. 2006. Fluent 6.3 user’s guide. Lebanon, NH: Fluent.
Franchini, G., A. Perdichizzi, S. Ravelli, and G. Barigozzi. 2013. “A comparative study between parabolic trough and solar tower technologies in solar Rankine cycle and integrated solar combined cycle plants.” Solar Energy 98: 302–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2013.09.033.
Grant, D. M., R. J. Pugmire, T. H. Fletcher, and A. R. Kerstein. 1989. “Chemical percolation model of coal devolatilization using percolation lattice statistics.” Energy Fuels 3 (2): 175–186. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00014a011.
Gunasekaran, S., N. D. Mancini, R. El-Khaja, E. J. Sheu, and A. Mitsos. 2014. “Solar–thermal hybridization of advanced zero emissions power cycle.” Energy 65: 152–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2013.12.021.
Gupta, M. K., and S. C. Kaushik. 2009. “Exergetic utilization of solar energy for feed water preheating in a conventional thermal power plant.” Int. J. Energy Res. 33 (6): 593–604. https://doi.org/10.1002/er.1500.
Hosseini, R., M. Soltani, and G. Valizadeh. 2005. “Technical and economic assessment of the integrated solar combined cycle power plants in Iran.” Renewable Energy 30 (10): 1541–1555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2004.11.005.
Iacobazzi, F., M. Milanese, G. Colangelo, M. Lomascolo, and A. de Risi. 2016. “An explanation of the nanofluid thermal conductivity based on the phonon theory of liquid.” Energy 116: 786–794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.10.027.
Iodice, P., G. Langella, A. Amoresano, and A. Senatore. 2017. “Comparative exergetic analysis of solar integration and regeneration in steam power plants.” J. Energy Eng. 143 (5): 04017042. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000477.
Khaldi, F. 2012. “Energy and exergy analysis of the first hybrid solar–gas power plant in Algeria.” In Proc., 25th Int. Conf. on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems. Firenze, Italy: Firenze University Press.
Lomascolo, M., G. Colangelo, M. Milanese, and A. de Risi. 2015. “Review of heat transfer in nanofluids: Conductive, convective and radiative experimental results.” Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev. 43: 1182–1198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.086.
Manzolini, G., M. Bellarmino, E. Macchi, and P. Silva. 2011. “Solar thermodynamic plants for cogenerative industrial applications in southern Europe.” Renewable Energy 36 (1): 235–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2010.06.026.
Milanese, M., G. Colangelo, A. Cretì, M. Lomascolo, F. Iacobazzi, and A. de Risi. 2016a. “Optical absorption measurements of oxide nanoparticles for application as nanofluid in direct absorption solar power systems. I: Water-based nanofluids behavior.” Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells 147: 315–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2015.12.027.
Milanese, M., G. Colangelo, A. Cretì, M. Lomascolo, F. Iacobazzi, and A. de Risi. 2016b. “Optical absorption measurements of oxide nanoparticles for application as nanofluid in direct absorption solar power systems. II: ZnO, CeO2, Fe2O3 nanoparticles behavior.” Solar Energy Mater. Solar Cells 147: 321–326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2015.12.030.
Milanese, M., F. Iacobazzi, G. Colangelo, and A. de Risi. 2016c. “An investigation of layering phenomenon at the liquid-solid interface in Cu and CuO based nanofluids.” Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 103: 564–571. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2016.07.082.
Montes, M. J., A. Rovira, M. Muñoz, and J. M. Martínez-val. 2011. “Performance analysis of an integrated solar combined cycle using direct steam generation in parabolic trough collectors.” Appl. Energy 88 (9): 3228–3238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.03.038.
Peng, S., H. Hong, Y. Wang, Z. Wang, and H. Jin. 2014. “Off-design thermodynamic performances on typical days of a 330 MW solar aided coal-fired power plant in China.” Appl. Energy 130: 500–509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.01.096.
Potenza, M., M. Milanese, G. Colangelo, and A. de Risi. 2017. “Experimental investigation of transparent parabolic trough collector based on gas-phase nanofluid.” Appl. Energy 203: 560–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.06.075.
Schaffel, N., M. Mancini, A. Szlek, and R. Weber. 2009. “Mathematical modeling of mild combustion of pulverized coal.” Combust. Flame 156 (9): 1771–1784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2009.04.008.
Shih, T. H., W. W. Liou, A. Shabbir, Z. Yang, and J. Zhu. 1995. “A new k-ϵ eddy-viscosity model for high Reynolds number turbulent flows: Model development and validation.” Comput. Fluids 24 (3): 227–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/0045-7930(94)00032-T.
Siva Reddy, V., S. C. Kaushik, and S. K. Tyagi. 2012. “Exergetic analysis of solar concentrator aided natural gas fired combined cycle power plant.” Renewable Energy 39 (1): 114–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.07.031.
Smith, I. W. 1992. “The combustion rates of coal chars: A review.” Symp. (Int.) on Combustion 19 (1): 1045–1065. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0082-0784(82)80281-6\.
Torresi, M., F. Fornarelli, B. Fortunato, S. M. Camporeale, and A. Saponaro. 2017. “Assessment against experiments of devolatilization and char burnout models for the simulation of an aerodynamically staged swirled low-NOx pulverized coal burner.” Energies 10 (1): 66. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10010066.
Torresi, M., B. Fortunato, S. M. Camporeale, and A. Saponaro. 2012. “CFD modeling of pulverized coal combustion in an industrial burner.” ASME. Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea Air 1: 657–666. https://doi.org/10.1115/GT2012-69506.
Turchi, C. S., and Z. Ma. 2014. “Co-located gas turbine/solar thermal hybrid designs for power production.” Renewable Energy 64: 172–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.005.
Wu, T., E. Lester, and M. Cloke. 2006. “A burnout prediction model based around char morphology.” Energy Fuels 20 (3): 1175–1183. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef050101o.
Yang, Y., Q. Yan, R. Zhai, A. Kouzani, and E. Hu. 2011. “An efficient way to use medium-or-low temperature solar heat for power generation e integration into conventional power plant.” Appl. Therm. Eng. 31 (2–3): 157–162. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2010.08.024.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 144 • Issue 4 • August 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 5, 2017
Accepted: Jan 4, 2018
Published online: May 3, 2018
Published in print: Aug 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Oct 3, 2018
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.