ES 616 Assignment

Mridul Kumar(153170004)
Pranshu Srivastava(153170005)
Akriti Masoom(153170017)

Question 1A
Ultimate analysis of fuel gives:% C = 41.11, % S = 0.41, % H =2.76, % O = 9.89, % N = 1.22, % Moisture = 5.98, % Ash = 38.63
Using Modified Dulong Equation for Calculation of Calorific value of Coal
Gross Calorific Value = 339%C + 1427 (%H %O/8) + 93%S
= 33941.11 + 1427 (2.76 (9.89/8)) + 930.41
GCV = 16148 kJ/kg
Net Calorific Value = NCV = GCV 24.44 (9%H + %M) =16148
24.44 (92.76 + 5.98)
NCV = 15394 kJ/kg
% Weight
C

41.11

Number of moles
41.11/12 =
3.426
2.76/1 = 2.76
1.22/14 = 0.087
9.89/16 = 0.618
0.41/32 = 0.013

H
2.76
N
1.22
O
9.89
S
0.41
Ash
38.63
Moisture
5.98
5.98/18 = 0.332
Chemical Formula of the fuel is CH0.805N0.0254O0.1803S0.00379

Per mole of Carbon

3.426/3.426 = 1
2.76/3.426 = 0.805
0.087/3.426 = 0.0254
0.618/3.426= 0.1803
0.013/3.426= 0.00379
38.63 /3.426 = 11.27
0.332/3.426 = 0.0969

Molecular Weight = 112 + 10.805 + 140.0254 + 160.1803 + 320.00379 = 16.167g

By stoichiometric calculations:CH0.805N0.0254O0.1803S0.0039 + a(O+ 3.76 N) CO2+ 0.4025 H2O + 0.00379 SO2 + (3.76a + 0.0127) N2

By O2 balance: 2a + 0.1803 = 2 + 0.4025 + 0.00379

a = (2 + 0.4025 + 0.00379 0.1803)/2 = 1.113
Therefore balanced stoichiometric chemical equation is:
CH0.805N0.0254O0.1803S0.0039 + 1.113(O+ 3.76 N) CO2+ 0.4025 H2O + 0.00379 SO2 + 4.197 N2

Typically sub-critical power plants use about 20% excess air.

Thus taking value of excess air = 20%

New stoichiometric equation is:CH0.805N0.0254O0.1803S0.0039 + 1.3356(O+ 3.76 N) CO2+ 0.4025 H2O + 0.00379 SO2 + a N2 + b O2

By O2 balance : 0.1803 + 2.6712 = 2 + 0.4025 + 20.00379 + 2b

b = 0.2207
By N2 balance: 0.0254 + 1.21.1133.762 = 2a
a = 5.0345
Therefore balanced stoichiometric chemical equation is:
CH0.805N0.0254O0.1803S0.0039 + 1.3356(O+ 3.76 N) CO2+ 0.4025 H2O + 0.00379 SO2 + 5.0345 N2 + 0.2207 O2

% CO2 = 1*100/(1+0.4025+0.00379+5.0345+0.2207) = 15.01 %

Typical efficiency of a sub-critical power plant is about 30%-35%.
Assuming efficiency to be = 30%
Amount of coal required for 1 kWh of electricity = ( 1 kWh ) / ( efficiency x GCV )
= (10003600) / (0.3161481000)
= 0.743 kg of coal
0.734 kg of fuel required for producing 1 kWh of electricity
Amount of CO2 released from 0.734 kg of coal = 0.7340.4111 (44/12) = 1.106 kg/kWh
NOx are formed at elevated temperatures of (13000 15000 C) . But boiler temperature is around
9000C. Hence
NOx formed = 0.239 kg/MWh = 0.000239 kg/kWh [2]
Assuming only SO2 is formed in the boiler:
Amount of SO2 released from 0.734 kg of coal = 0.7340.004164/32 = 0.006 kg/kWh
Mineral matter = 38.63 % of fuel used
1.1 ash = 0.7340.386
Amount of ash = 0.2835 kg/kWh ( fly + bottom ash )
Assumption : ash generated by the combustion of coal consists of bottom and fly ash with a ratio of 20%
bottom ash to 80 fly ash [9]
Fly ash = 0.200.2835 = 0.0567 kg/kWh
Bottom ash = 0.800.2835 = 0.2268 kg/kWh
Assuming PM2.5 percentage in fly ash as 1.7% and PM10 as 16.7% based on a case study in china [10].
PM2.5 emission= 0.0567 kg 1.7/100 = 9.63910-4 kg/kWh = 963.9 mg/ kWh
PM10 emission = 0.0567 kg16.7/100 = 9.46810-3 kg/kWh = 946.8 mg/kWh

Assuming mercury content from the literature as 0.53 mg/Kg of fuel

Mercury released = 0.53 0.734 = 0.389 mg/kWh

Assuming complete combustion using excess air ,

CO released = 0.0004109 kg/kWh = 0.4109 g/kWh [2]
Question 1B
Recirculating cooling system requires 479 gallons / MWh for sub critical power plants [3]
1 gallon = 3.785 L
Amount of water required for 1 kWh of power generated = 4793.785/1000
= 1.813 L / kWh
Question 2A
There are no standards set for emissions for coal power plants in India. Only ambient air standards
exists.
Ambient Air standards set by CPCB (last revised 2009)
Pollutants
SO2
NO2
PM10
PM2.5
CO

Concentration in ambient air

(microgram/m3)
50
40
60
40
2

So by considering these emission standards as a limit, following pollution control devices are required:
Pollution Control Devices :
SO2: SO2 causes respiratory illness and its emission causes acid rain. Wet Flue Gas Gas Desulphurization
is a predominant technology used to control SO 2 emissions. Limestone wet FGD has less overall cost.
Limestone process with in situ forced oxidation to remove SO2 and produce gypsum by product
(CaSO4.2H2O). m. Limestone forced oxidation systems have achieved SO 2 removal efficiencies as high as
approximately 98%.
SDA is another technology used for low sulphur content fuels (<2%). SO 2 removal of up to
approximately 96% can be achieved with this technology. The advantages of dry compared to wet FGD
include: 1) less costly construction, 2) fewer process operations, 3) simplicity of control and operation, 4)
lower water consumption, 5) lower auxiliary power consumption.
If SO3 is also formed, Sorbent injection, Wet ESP technologies can be used to control SO3

PM10: Cyclones are used to control large PM . Efficiencies of cyclones increase with increase in diameter of
the particle. The swirling motion creates centrifugal forces that cause the particles to be thrown against the

walls of the cylinder and drop into a hopper below. Efficiencies greater than 90%for particle sizes of 10 m
or greater are possible.
PM2.5: Fabric filters are used to control small PM. Dust laden gases pass through fabric bags where the dry
particulates are captured on the fabric surface. Dust from the fabric then falls to a collection hopper where it
is removed
NOx: Selective catalytic reduction systems are used to control NOx emissions. SCR is installed before an
ESP. The reducing agent used in Anhydrous NH3 (in the form of urea) and catalyst used is V2O5. SCR
systems catalytically reduce flue gas NO x to N2 and H2O. This technology is the most effective method of
reducing NOx emissions especially where high removal efficiencies (70% to 90%)are required.
Hg: Powdered Activated Carbon (PAC) is injected into the flue gas is the most established technology for
mercury control, and can provide up to approximately 95% mercury capture for coals with high chlorine
content.
CO2: CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) is used to store CO2 deep below the earth (5km below surface in
the oceans).
Ash: Ash Handling, Soot blowers, Precipitators, Fabric Filters are used to collect ash (either fly or bottom).
Composition of contaminants in flue gases :
Volume of gas generated from combustion for producing 1 kwh of electricity:
From the stoichiometric equation it is observed that from the combustion of 16.16
gram of coal 6.3962 moles of air is generated in the form of CO2,SO2,NO2,O2,N2
and water vapor.
Volume of this gas will be (assuming flue gas temperature as 1500C)
V = nRT/P = 6.39630.08210-3 (150+273)/1 = 0.221 m3of air.
So from combustion of 0.4854 kg of coal = 106 m3 of air will go out as flue gases.
Removal Efficiency required by these control devices :
1.
For PM2.5:
inlet concentration = 682 mg/106 m3 of air = 6.43 103 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 40 microgram/ m3
2.

efficiency desired = (6.43103 40)/(6.43*103) = 99.37 %

For PM10:
inlet concentration = 238 mg/106 m3 of air = 2.245103 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 60 microgram/m3
efficiency desired = (2.245103 60)/(2.245103) = 97.33%
3. For SOx:
inlet concentration = 0.00398 kg/106 m3 of air = 3.75104 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 50 microgram/m3
efficiency desired = (3.75104 50)/(3.75104) = 99.87%
4. For NOx:

inlet concentration = 0.000118 kg/106m3 of air = 1.113103 microgram/m3

desired outlet concentration = 40 microgram/m3
efficiency desired = (1.113103 40)/(1.113103) = 96.41%
5. For Hg:
inlet concentration = 0.257 mg/ 106 m3 of air = 2.42 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = No standard available.

Question 2B
Fly ash released from thermal power plants deposits on the surface of leaves and impedes Photosynthesis. It
may also choke the stomatal openings. SO x, NOx released can react with water molecules and acid rain may
result. This may damage the plant physically. Plants that are cross pollinated are dependent on wind. One
such plant is the Chiku plant. Particulate matter deposition on the stigma of flowers may cause drying up
proving to be a physical barrier for pollination.
The water used in power plants is generally withdrawn from nearby water bodies. This heated water when
released back into the water body has a temperature significantly higher to that of the natural ecosystem.
This leads to thermal pollution and interferes in the fish breeding process.by decreasing fertility. The waste
generated from coal industries is toxic in nature. They contain mercury, Arsenic, Chromium, Cadmium etc.
These have the potential to damage vital organs. They affect the nervous system, cause nephrotoxicity,
damage lungs. Radioactive contaminants may also be present in the coal being used and form a part of the
waste generated from the thermal power plant. Radioactive substances cause chromosomal aberrations and
lead to altered genetic material.

Question 3
1) PM: Cyclones are the best PM control devices Cyclones operate to collect relatively large size PM
from a gaseous stream, and can operate at elevated temperatures. Cyclones are typically used for the
removal of particles 50 microns (m) or larger. Cyclones can be used for PM30 but efficiency will
be less. Efficiency is greater than 90 %. For higher efficiency electrostatic precipitator and fabric
filter can be used. Generally efficiency of ESP and fabric filter is very high (greater than 99 %).
2) NO2& SO2: Packed tower absorption or wet scrubber can be used for this purpose. Absorption in
packed tower provides high efficiency (close to 99%) while wet scrubbers are most effective for the
particulate removal but for gases their efficiency is low. Efficiency of wet scrubbers can be increased
by adding chemical like sodium citrate which increases the solubility of gases.
Standards :
Type of Energy Conversion

Pollutant
Limits microgram/Nm3
(for 10%CO2 in flue gases)

Facility and Fuel

Coalfired boilers

PM

30

Sulfur Dioxide

100

Nitrogen Oxides (NO2)

100

Mercury

0.03

Removal Efficiency required by these control devices :

Assuming that the plant was commissioned between 1st January 2003 and 31st December 2015
1.
For PM2.5:
inlet concentration = 682 mg/106 m3 of air = 6.43 103 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 50 microgram/ m3
efficiency desired = (6.43103 50)/(6.43*103) = 99.22 %
For PM10:
inlet concentration = 238 mg/106 m3 of air = 2.245103 microgram/m3

2.

desired outlet concentration = 50 microgram/m3

efficiency desired = (2.245103 50)/(2.245103) = 97.77%
3.

For SOx:
inlet concentration = 0.00398 kg/106 m3 of air = 3.75104 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 200 microgram/m3
efficiency desired = (3.75104 200)/(3.75104) = 99.47%
4.

For NOx:
inlet concentration = 0.000118 kg/106m3 of air = 1.113103 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 300 microgram/m3
efficiency desired = (1.113103 300)/(1.113103) = 73.05%

5.

For Hg:
inlet concentration = 0.257 mg/ 106 m3 of air = 2.42 microgram/m3
desired outlet concentration = 0.03 microgram/m3.
efficiency desired = (2.42 0.03)/(2.42) = 98.76%

Question 4
Sub critical power plants work at very low efficiencies of around 35% as a result most of the energy in coal
is not captured in a utilizable form. There is thus a need to move towards more efficient systems in terms
improving the ability to utilize the energy from coal. Moving towards supercritical and IGCC plants may be
a good option if coal is to be continued to be used as the source of energy. Alternatively we must give
emphasis to exploring renewable sources of energy as coal using electricity plants produce land, air as well
as water pollution and also have undesirable health impacts.

References

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8.
9.

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