Chapter 1 PPD

Design of a 590 MW FBC Coal Fired Power Plant 1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Electricity, commonly referred to as electric power, is typically generated by the means

of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Facilities known as power plants are
responsible for large-scale conversion and distribution for power demand. Types of power plant
are determined based on the source of energy utilized to produce mechanical energy that will be
converted into electrical energy. The source of energy, which is a major factor in the design of
power plant, is widely classified as either renewable or non-renewable resource.
Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished, such

as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. This energy cannot be exhausted and is
constantly renewed. Renewable energy has the advantage of sustainability and minimal
environmental impact over non-renewable resources. On the other hand, non-renewable energy
comes from sources that will run out or will not be replenished in our lifetimes or even in many,
many lifetimes. Most non-renewable energy resources are fossil fuels: coal, petroleum, and
natural gas. Non-renewable energy resources are reliable and have low initial costs of the plant
but emits by products that pollute the environment. However, non-renewable energy became a
common choice for power generation because of recent technological development that provided
higher efficiencies and cleaner emissions (Fuentebella, 2018).
The rest of the chapter focuses on the discussion of the design of coal-fired power plant
under fluidized bed combustion technology.
1.1 COAL FIRED POWER PLANT
The power plant is a facility that transforms various types of energy into electricity or
heat for some useful purpose. The energy input to the power plant can vary significantly, and the
plant design to accommodate this energy is drastically different for each energy source
(Woodruff, 2004). In the Philippines, coal is the main energy source having the highest
contribution to the power generation.
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 2
The country’s total installed capacity grew by 6.1% from 21,425 MW in 2016 to 22,730
MW in 2017. This increase in capacity is brought about by the commercial operation of large
coal-fired power plants (630 MW) in Luzon and Mindanao, a number of solar farms in Luzon
and Visayas (127 MW), and the entry of additional capacities from oil and hydro power plants
(78 MW). Meanwhile, power generation grew at a much lower pace at 3.9% from 90,798 GWh
in 2016 to 94,370 GWh in 2017. Coal also remains the major source of electricity generation for
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao with a combined share of 50% (46,847,274 MWh) (DOE, 2018).
Latest available Department of Energy (DoE) data shows coal accounting for 50% of
the country’s power generation sources, renewable energy making up 24%; natural gas, 22% and
oil-based fuels, 4% in 2017 as compared to 2016 which is shown in the figure below.
Source: DOE, 2016

Figure 1.1: 2016 and 2017 Philippine Power Generation
Based on the statistics presented above, it is evident that even the Philippines is
dependent on coal when it comes to power generation. However, local supply for coal is limited
and cannot sustain the increasing demand in the power generation sector. That is why power
CASTILLO & FABILE 2

Design of a 590 MW FBC Coal Fired Power Plant 3
plants are required to import coal from a neighbor country like Indonesia. Figure below shows
the graph of coal production and importation by the year 2016.
Source: DOE, 2016

Figure 1.2: Production vs Importation
To give further details, imported coal comes from a neighbor country. Figure 1.3 shows
the statistics of the major coal suppliers in the Philippines.
Source: DOE, 2016

Figure 1.3: Major Coal Supplier
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Chapter 1 - Introduction 4
1.2 PROPOSED POWER PLANT
The power plant is designed to operate under fluidized bed technology. Its capacity will
depend on the selected boiler. The overall capacity of the plant would be 590 MW with a
contract capacity of 531 MW. The plant will be having 2 boiler configurations running on
subcritical steam parameters.
As you read further, the proposed 590 MW Coal-Fired Power Plant design has five major
components namely; Coal Handling System, Gas Loop, Power Loop, Water Loop, and Ash
Disposal. This paper will also state the auxiliary equipment to be used of the steam generator. In
general, this power plant design would focus on equipment selection based on the criteria and
analysis conducted.
1.3 FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY
Fluidized bed boilers are noted for their capability to burn in an environmentally
acceptable manner, low-grade fuels, which can range from wet biomass sludge to high-ash coal
wastes, as well as conventional fuels. This ability to burn a wide range of fuels is a result of the
turbulent mixing that is found in the fluidized bed, resulting in good heat and mass transfer.
These characteristics not only improve the combustion process but also allow the burning to take
place at temperatures ranging between 750–900 °C instead of normal combustion temperatures
of 3000 to 3500°F. The ability to burn materials at this lower temperature is important because it
makes it possible to burn low-quality fuels that do not have a high enough heating value to
support combustion at high temperatures. Therefore, fuels with lower fusion temperatures can be
handled, and sorbents such as limestone can be added directly into the combustion area with the
fuel for the purpose of controlling sulfur emissions. The lower combustion temperatures also
mean lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, NOx, which are atmospheric pollutants (Woodruff,
2004).
CASTILLO & FABILE 4

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Design of a 590 MW FBC Coal Fired Power Plant 1

Electricity, commonly referred to as electric power, is typically generated by the means

Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished, such

1.1 COAL FIRED POWER PLANT

CASTILLO & FABILE 1

Source: DOE, 2016

CASTILLO & FABILE 2

Source: DOE, 2016

Source: DOE, 2016

CASTILLO & FABILE 3

1.2 PROPOSED POWER PLANT

1.3 FLUIDIZED BED COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY

CASTILLO & FABILE 4

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