Pioneering study optimizes ammonia co-firing in 300-MW coal-fired power plants for reduced carbon emissions

A cutting-edge research article published in Engineering details a pivotal study conducted by a Chinese research team from the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center. The research, titled “Experimental Study on Ammonia Co-Firing with Coal for Carbon Reduction in the Boiler of a 300-MW Coal-Fired Power Station,” delves into the implementation of ammonia co-firing technology to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in one of China’s substantial coal-fired power stations.

Ammonia, as a carbon-free fuel, presents a groundbreaking solution for the energy sector’s sustainability challenges. The study explores the technical feasibility of co-firing ammonia with coal in a large-scale 300-MW power plant boiler. By retrofitting the boiler with an advanced system capable of handling pure-ammonia burners, the team successfully achieved co-combustion at varying heat ratios and loads.

Key findings from the study underscore the heightened sensitivity of NO_x emissions to changes in boiler oxygen levels during ammonia–coal co-firing. Innovative positioning of ammonia burners within the main combustion zone has demonstrated enhanced high-temperature reduction performance, crucial for minimizing environmental impact. Moreover, the research confirms that under all tested conditions, NH₃ escape at the boiler outlet is effectively contained below 1 ppm.

Despite a minor drop in boiler thermal efficiency due to ammonia co-firing, the impact is negligible, with a decrease ranging from 0.12% to 0.38%. This slight reduction in efficiency is overshadowed by the substantial potential for carbon emission reduction, making the technology a promising candidate for broad application in the power industry.

The study concludes by highlighting the importance of further research to refine ammonia co-firing strategies, particularly regarding the optimization of the ammonia blending ratio and the injection method to control NO_x emissions effectively. It also calls for investigations into the scalability of this technology for broader industrial use.

As the global pursuit of cleaner energy sources accelerates, this research stands as a testament to China’s proactive approach to innovation in the power generation sector. The study not only advances scientific understanding of ammonia co-firing but also serves as a blueprint for the energy industry’s transition towards a low-carbon future.

The paper “Experimental Study on Ammonia Co-Firing with Coal for Carbon Reduction in the Boiler of a 300-MW Coal-Fired Power Station,” authored by Qifu Lin, Wangping Sun, Haiyan Li, Yangjiong Liu, Yuwei Chen, Chengzhou Liu, Yiman Jiang, Yu Cheng, Ning Ma, Huaqing Ya, Longwei Chen, Shidong Fang, Hansheng Feng, Guangnan Luo, Jiangang Li, Kaixin Xiang, Jie Cong, Cheng Cheng. Full text of the open access paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2024.06.003. For more information about the Engineering, follow us on X (https://twitter.com/EngineeringJrnl) & like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/EngineeringJrnl).