Progress of circulating fluidized bed combustion technology in China: a review

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Abstract
Circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology plays an important role in the utilization of low-grade coal in China. This article reviews CFB combustion technology development in China and summarizes recent achievements. Since 1990 Chinese engineers and researchers have been undertaking work to improve CFB boiler technology. A completely novel CFB boiler design theory was developed and used in the domestic manufacturing of CFB boilers with various capacities. China is the largest supplier and customer of CFB boilers in the world due to the widespread use of CFB boilers. In 2007, the lower energy consumption CFB technology was successfully developed by re-specifying the fluidization state, which reduced the power consumption of forced fans and solved the potential erosion problems on the water wall. Afterwards, in order to increase the electric power generation efficiency, the supercritical CFB (SCCFB) boiler was developed and the first 600 MW SCCFB boiler was demonstrated and put into commercial operation in 2013. The success of the technology is evident with over 80 SCCFB boilers on order with capacities of 350 MW to 660 MW. Chinese scientists and engineers are also developing technology to lower the emissions of CFB combustion to meet the requirements of China’s strict emission regulations. This emission reduction is through high-efficiency desulfurization by limestone injection into the furnace and low NOx combustion, ultra-low emission of SO2 and NOx in the furnace can be realized by improving the bed quality and increasing the solid circulation rate. There is currently further research and design development being undertaken to develop a 660 MW ultra-supercritical CFB (USCCFB) boiler. The new boiler is expected to be operational before 2020 resulting in higher efficiency and lower energy consumption and emissions.

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