Operating experience with a fluidized bed test combustor

This paper presents operating experience with a fluidized bed combustor burning various coals. The primary focus is on the effect of relevant coal properties on combustor performance. Tests were carried out using anthracite, HVB and HVC bituminous and sub-bituminous A coals, and petroleum coke. Comparisons of the performance of the combustion on the various fuels are made. A two-stage fluidized bed combustor operating in a single-stage mode without recycle was employed. Experimental measurements included temperature, fuel feed rate, fluidization velocity and bed height. For some of the coals, bed agglomeration was found to occur. The results indicate that coal properties have an important effect upon the operation of the fluidized bed combustor.