Co-firing and co-gasification

Gasification of biomass and its use in co-firing coal-fired power stations  are cost-effective options for sustainable power generation. The experience of KEMA is based on hands-on experience of co-firing over more than 15 years.

Based on this experience KEMA offers a broad range of services for companies that are considering biomass and co-firing or that are actually apply them already. Our services start with assistance using feasibility studies which takes into account the company’s existing power generation fleet, expected future developments in legislative requirements and new technical developments. Successive phases include fuel supply assessment, technical and economic assessment (preliminary and detailed) and conceptual design of a co-firing or co-gasification project.

 

KEMA is a key-player in the field of co-firing and co-gasification. This position is based on our long time practical experience as well as our overview of developing technology options (e.g. Torrefaction) and new and emerging fuel sources.

 

General aspects that should be examined when a company is considering the feasibility of co-firing are:

• regulatory and policy issues

• biomass fuel issues (biomass supply types, characteristics, requirements and preparation).

• environmental and health issues

• technical and economic assessment of any required modifications to the power plant, including to the site, the boiler and auxiliary equipment.

Based on this experience a number of specific services have been developed by KEMA:

• Co-firing risk assessment. An integrated co-firing chain approach, comprised of identification, quantification and ranking of all risks and accounting for external factors, company strategy and prioritizing plant specific constraints.

• Co-firing control model. Expert model for predicting the influence of fuel quality on power plant operation.

• NOx emission and DeNOx operation. KEMA developed models for design and operational aspects of NOx-reduction technologies.

• Corrosion monitoring. For co-firing situations the KEMA tools for early corrosion detection are effective to prevent serious damage to your installation.

• Ash quality and industrial application. KEMA is actively involved in research, testing and optimization of co-firing influences on ash quality. This is done in close co-operation with research partners, construction companies and with the end-users of concrete.

• Spontaneous heating. An important issue with the use of biomass is prevention and control of spontaneous heating.