Presymposium Workshops

The Western Fuels Symposium was preceded by four 2-hour training courses, which provided participants with a practical overview of the physical and chemical processes related to coal-fired boilers. Topics included mercury control for western coals, carbon sequestration, advancements in predicting ash behavior in western coal-fired power plants, and fine particulate control for western fuels.

Workshop 1

Mercury Control for Western Coals Presenters: John Pavlish and Michael Holmes, EERC This workshop provided an overview of the status of mercury control technologies for western U.S. subbituminous and lignite coals. Workshop topics included the following: • Mercury in the environment • Status of mercury emission regulations for electric utilities firing coal • Mercury transformations during combustion and speciation in flue gases • Status of mercury measurement technologies • Mercury emission control for utilities firing western coals • Results of recent pilot and field testing • Future directions

Workshop 2

Carbon Sequestration Presenters: Edward Steadman, James Sorensen, and Wesley Peck, EERC John Ruby, Nexant, Inc. This workshop provided an overview of CO2 sequestration, including capture, transport, geologic and terrestrial sequestration, and other relevant topics. Participants had an opportunity to use the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership Decision Support System to explore specific CO2 sequestration opportunities in the northern Great Plains. Specific workshop topics included the following: • Greenhouse gases - international issues and perspectives • CO2 capture and transport • CO2 sinks - geologic and terrestrial opportunities • CO2 for resource recovery- enhanced oil and coalbed methane recovery

Workshop 3

Advancements in Predicting Ash Behavior in Western Coal-Fired Power Plants Presenters: Steven Benson and Michael Jones, EERC Predicting ash behavior in coal-fired power systems is a challenge. New models to predict ash formation and fate in power plants have been developed and are being applied to predict ash and slag impacts on power plant performance. Workshop topics included the following: • Ash-forming components in western coals • Measuring the ash-forming components in coal • Predicting the size and composition of ash in pulverized coal combustion systems • Ash deposit formation and characteristics • Predicting ash behavior using computational fluid dynamics modeling • Results of case studies

Workshop 4

Fine Particulate Control for Western Fuels Presenter: Stanley Miller, EERC This workshop provided an overview of combustion theory and particle formation mechanisms that lead to the typical dust loadings at the air heater exit of coal-fired boilers. Options were presented for selecting fine-particle approaches based on known ash properties and target control requirements. Workshop topics included the following: • Theoretical dust loading and particle-size distribution • Critical ash properties that affect control performance • Summary of electrostatic precipitator and fabric filter technologies • Overview of new technology options • Performance measurements • Practical guidelines for technology selection, design, and maintenance