Low-rank Coals for Power Generation, Fuel and Chemical Production (Woodhead Publishing Series in Energy)

Low-Rank Coals for Power Generation, Fuel and Chemical Production provides a thorough introduction to lignite (brown coal) and subbituminous coals and explores how they can be used efficiently and economically in place of hard coal. The book examines the undesirable characteristics of low-quality coals, such as high moisture content, low calorific value, and aggressive ash characteristics, and the resulting refinements to standard technologies and practices required for successful combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis. The first part of this book provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the properties of low-rank coals and corresponding preparation methods, such as drying, cleaning, and upgrading. Power generation from low-rank coals is the focus of Part 2, with chapter topics ranging from high efficiency pulverized coal combustion and circulating fluidized bed combustion to emerging areas such as chemical looping and oxyfuel combustion. The final contributions address the important subjects of coal-to-liquids,polygeneration and coke production using low-rank coals, as well as the critical issue of carbon capture and storage. This book is a valuable resource for power generation engineers and researchers seeking to maximize the opportunities provided by these cheaper coal feedstocks for efficient and environmentally compatible power generation. * Presents the most in-depth treatment of low-rank coals available * Addresses both power generation and fuel production * Includes coverage that spans pulverized coal combustion and emerging technologies, such as CFBC, UCG, CLC, and oxyfuel combustion Front Cover -- Low-Rank Coals for Power Generation, Fuel and Chemical Production -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- List of Contributors -- I. Low rank coal properties and preparation -- 1 Introduction to low-rank coals: Types, resources, and current utilization -- 1.1 The concept of low-rank coal -- 1.2 The types of low-rank coals -- 1.3 Distribution, reserves, and resources of low-rank coals -- 1.3.1 Europe and Eurasia -- 1.3.2 North America -- 1.3.3 Asia-Pacific -- 1.4 Current utilization of low-rank coals -- 1.4.1 Electric power generation -- 1.4.2 Other commercial uses -- Acknowledgments -- References -- 2 Properties of low rank coals and resulting challenges in their utilization -- 2.1 Introduction: Resources and usefulness of low rank coal -- 2.2 Overview of methods for classification of low rank coals -- 2.2.1 Classification of lignite for energy purposes -- 2.2.2 Classification of technological low rank coal according to chemical and petrographic criteria -- 2.3 Physicochemical properties of low rank coals and their effect on the method used to produce power -- 2.4 Main problems in utilization of low rank coal and effect of valorization on low rank coal by drying -- 2.4.1 Effect of lignite drying on coal properties structure reactivity -- 2.5 The barriers of low rank coal utilization and progress in low rank coal upgrading -- 2.6 Summary remarks -- References -- 3 Critical review of current industrial scale lignite drying technologies -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Drying process -- 3.3 Dryer classification -- 3.3.1 Drying method (evaporative-nonevaporative) -- 3.3.2 Heat transfer mechanism (direct-indirect) -- 3.3.3 Heating medium (flue gas-air-steam) -- 3.4 Types of coal dryers -- 3.4.1 Rotary dryers -- 3.4.1.1 Direct rotary dryers -- 3.4.1.2 Rotary-tube (indirect) dryers -- 3.4.2 Fluidized-bed dryer (FBD)