Process Technology Equipment

Power Generation

Introduction

             Cyclone power generation refers to the technology that enhances effective use of coal fired power generation. In cyclone power generation, technicians use cyclone engines, which are an all-fuel and clean tech-engine. The engines usually have the recommended power and versatility to run the waste energy electric generators. Moreover, the engines are also used for solar thermal systems to various vehicles and locomotives. Harry Schoell is the man behind the invention of cyclone engine, which enhances the cyclone power generation. The cyclone engine that is always patented according to the invention of Schoell, is an eco-friendly external combustion engine. The engine is designed in a way that it can be able to achieve high thermal efficiencies. This paper provides information on cyclones power generation using cyclone furnaces as newly developed technology equipment.

 

Cyclone Furnaces

           The cyclone furnaces were developed through keen understanding of the pulverized coal systems back in 1940s (Amano & Sundén 45). One of the significant importances of the cyclone furnaces is that they require less processing of the coal fuel. Moreover, the furnaces can be able to burn poorer grade coals. Some of the poor grade coals tend to have high moisture contents. Others have ash contents up to 25%. In most cases, the crushed coal feed can be kept in bins for some time before put to the cyclone furnace. However, the coal feed can also be transported directly to the cyclone furnace.

Operation system and the importance of Cyclone Furnace

           The cyclone furnace is a large cylinder that measures about 1.8-3metres (Spliethoff 261). The large cylinder is usually jacketed with water pipes. The main reason of the jacketing the water pipes in the furnace is to assist in absorbing some of the heat in order to make steam. Moreover, the pipes assist in protecting the burner itself from melting due to the excessive heat that always emerge when the furnace is in action. In the cyclone furnaces, a high-powered fan is used when the furnace is in action. The main purpose of the high-powdered fan is to blow the heated air. Moreover, the fan makes the coal to move into one of end of the cylinder. The other significant issue enacted on the cyclone furnace system is that additional heated combustion of air is usually injected in the curved surface of the cylinder. This move causes the coal and air mixture to swirl. The swirling can be described as centrifugal “cyclone motion”. The importance of the whirling is that it enhances the burning of properties (Spliethoff 262). This means that the whirling assist in producing high heat densities. Moreover, the whirling assists in producing high combustion temperatures.

           In the operation process of the cyclone furnace, the combustion gas, which is usually hot, is of significant importance as it assists in heating the water pipes. Eventually, the water pipes are able to produce steam. Moreover, it is important to note that all the fuel injected to the system burns when it is in its operating temperatures. When the cyclone furnace is in action, some of the slag manages to remain in the walls. The slag plays an important role of insulating the burner. The slag also enables the heat to reach the boiler. The rest of the slag drains through a trench therefore getting out of the furnace where it solidifies in a collection tank. Miller (166) indicates that the fusibility and viscosity of the ash in the cyclone system is of significance importance. The composition of the ash tends to have various significant characteristics. Some of these characteristics include the fact that the ash ought to melt and be able to coat the wall of the cyclone (Miller 166). Moreover, the ash ought to tap. This means that the ash is always able to be fluid and exit steadily from the furnace.

            Another significant issue to note is that in the cyclone firing, combustors are usually mounted on the wall of the main furnace. In cases where there is a screened furnace, it is possible to depict the fact that the gases existing the system pass through a certain small chamber. After this, the gases also pass through a slag screen. The final stage is that the gases enter the main furnace. However, developments in the issues related to the cyclone furnace have enabled the systems arrangements to be more effective. For example, through various technological developments, the above illustrated design of the cyclone furnace have been replaced by open-furnace arrangements. The newly developed system tends to have larger units that play a significant role in enhancing the effectives of the system. Cyclone furnaces can be fired using two types of coal. One of these types is the crushed coal while the one is the partially pulverized coal.

Advantages of the cyclone power generation

              The ability to collect the ash poses as one of the significant advantages of the cyclone furnace system. The other advantage of the cyclone power generation is that it plays a significant in controlling environmental pollution. This is because the cyclone furnace system emits fewer greenhouse gases and other irritating pollutants. The cyclone furnace system also plays a significant role in reducing waste materials in the environment. This is because waste materials are one of the products used in the system for its operation services. Moreover, the cyclone furnaces have the ability to collect the ash. This assists in making the system more reliable and efficient to use. The other significant importance of the cyclone furnace is that it can be used in different areas. This is because the furnaces are developed of different sizes. The cyclone furnace also has a selective catalyst reduction (leonard 19).

Disadvantages of the cyclone power generation

            Various disadvantages are associated with the cyclone power generation. One of these disadvantages is that the coal must have low sulfur content. The sulfur assists in melting of the ash in order to move into the collection bin. On this case, sulfur tends to be un-environmental friendly element. The other disadvantage of the cyclone furnace system is that it is necessary to have large power fans. As mentioned earlier, the fans play a significant role in moving the pieces of coal and air into the system while using a lot of force. The other disadvantage of the cyclone furnace system is that more nitrogen pollutants tend to be produced compared to other coal combustions like the pulverized one. Another disadvantage is the fact that the actual burner requires replacement of its liners. The replacement is necessary because the liners are damaged due to the erosion. The main cause of the erosion is the high velocity of the coal.

Conclusion

            Cyclone power generation is of significant is one of the newly developed technologies in the 21st century. The technology is of significant importance because of the role it plays in maintaining a healthy environment. Moreover, development of cyclone furnaces opened a new way that helps in the reduction of waste materials. Even though the cyclone furnace system has various disadvantages, its advantages tends to outdo them and hence making the system reliable for now and future use.

Works Cited

Amano & Sundén. Thermal Engineering in Power Systems. Southampton: WIT, 2008. Print. Leonard. Power plant optimization demonstration projects: clean coal technolgy. Darby, Diane, 2008. Print.

Miller Bruce. Clean Coal Engineering Technology. Burlington, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2011. Print.

Spliethoff, Hartmut. Power Generation from Solid Fuels. Heidelberg [Germany: Springer, 2010. Print.