Experimental study on pulverized coal swirl-opposed combustion preheated by a circulating fluidized bed. Part A. Wide-load operation and low-NOx emission characteristics

In this study, the operating characteristics and NOx emission patterns are explored under a wide load range based on a 2MWth pulverized coal preheated combustion test platform. Preheated char with high physical sensible heat and preheated gas with high calorific value greatly improve the ignition and stability of the combustion characteristics of pulverized coal at low loads. Moreover, performing pre-denitrification during the preheating process helps to lower NOx emissions. Stable operation at a wide load range of 26%–106% was achieved, and ultralow loads of 40% and 26% were achieved when the pre-circulating fluidized bed (PCFB) was operated in double-/single-sided operation mode, respectively. Meanwhile, uniform concentration and temperature fields were achieved when both/one side of the PCFB were/was in operation. When operating on the double side of the PCFB, ultralow NOx emissions (@6% O2) of 39.9 mg/m3 and 43.7 mg/m3 were achieved at 40% and 50% loads, respectively. When operating on a single side, the NOx emission amount was 28.3 mg/m3 at 26% load. Furthermore, when the swirling air and the bottom air are equally distributed, the secondary air equivalent ratio is appropriately increased, and the injection position of the burnout air is properly delayed, NOx emissions are reduced.