Pilot Plant

The owner of a coal-fired power plant is keen to understand the challenges involved in switching from pure coal (as current) to co-firing coal with 5% biomass with the eventual plan being to be blending in waste-derived fuels as a complimentary feedstock. You are tasked with carrying out an experimental trial to assess fuel feeding rates, gas composition (particularly emissions-related) and mass balance of materials using a coal and 5% biomass mix. The data obtained from the experimental work will need to be reported, with the data supporting and conclusions and recommendations being made. This will be in the form of a technical consultancy report which outlines the background (including the review of current understanding), your methodology, results, critical discussion and conclusions/recommendations. The report should include a mass balance analysis from the experiment, with a discussion comparing the results with other findings in scientific literature.

The report should discuss the implications of blending 5% biomass into the coal feedstock, and then speculate on the feeding system challenges and likely co-firing performance if waste-derived fuels were also added to the feedstock. The waste-derived fuels aspect will assume that the fuel is typical of refuse-derived fuel [RDF], so you will need to research the range of composition and physicochemical properties of RDF. You should provide an analysis of the feedstock going from 100% coal, to 95:5 coal to biomass, 90:5:5 coal/biomass/RDF and then 25% RDF (i.e. 70% coal, 5% biomass). You will need to consider the legislation the plant will need to comply with when using waste as a fuel.

You will need to record data throughout the experiment to complete a mass balance. There will be a seminar on Friday to assist you.

Your report should follow a strict format of:

1. A title page with your name, student number, then,

1. Introduction

1. Methodology

1. Results

1. Discussion

1. Conclusions and recommendations

1. The list of references used (correctly cited within the text);

1. Minimum font size 10 (Arial, Calibri or Times);

1. All margins should be at least 2 cm;

1. Single column format;

1. All figures and tables should be clear, in a consistent format and NOT embedded within the text;

1. Figures and tables do not count towards the word count; however, captions do;

1. All figures and tables must be clearly referenced if taken or derived from another source

Ensure that all references are corrected cited and are from credible sources. Peer-reviewed journal articles are encouraged, company or government reports are acceptable, whereas websites are not.