Assisting denitrification and strengthening combustion by using ammonia/coal binary fuel gasification-combustion: Effects of injecting position and air distribution

The direct co-firing of ammonia (NH3) with coal is an effective approach for reducing carbon emissions from coal-fired plants. However, the limitations of NH3 combustion, such as its high ignition energy requirement and high NOx emissions, restrict its large-scale co-combustion in coal-fired units. In this study, a self-sustaining gasification–combustion experimental system was employed, and its denitrification performance and combustion strengthening capability for NH3/coal binary fuel under different NH3 injection positions and air distribution methods were evaluated. The results of co-firing 20 % NH3 in the gasifier revealed that its operating temperature can be flexibly controlled within the optimal reaction temperature window of SNCR by adjusting the primary air ratio (λ1). Increasing λ1 was beneficial for NH3 and coal conversion and denitrification in the gasifier; at λ1 = 0.53, the conversion rate of NH3 and N2 reached 86.37 % and 83.59 %, respectively, with no NOx being detected at the gasifier outlet. Furthermore, increasing λ1 promoted the development of gasified char pore structure, thereby improving reactivity. After entering the down-fired combustor (DFC), increasing λ1 promoted NH3 and coal burnout and effectively controlled NOx emissions, reaching a level similar with that of pure coal under λ1 = 0.53. Co-firing 20 % NH3 in the DFC also demonstrated that the introduction of inner secondary air was conducive to char burnout, however, increased NH3 slip. The outer secondary air promoted NH3 combustion, however, exacerbated NOx emissions and inhibited gasified char combustion. The uniform air distribution method balanced the combustion of NH3 and gasified char, and effectively controlled NOx emissions. When the same air distribution method was used, co-firing NH3 in the gasifier was more favourable for NOx control, whereas co-firing NH3 in the DFC benefited coal burnout. This study provides innovative ideas and serves as a reference for developing enhanced combustion and low NOx emission technologies for large-scale NH3 co-firing in coal-fired units.