Operating Experience of the 20-MW AFBC Pilot Plant

Abstract

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) took the first major step toward utility-scale demonstration of atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) with the construction and operation of the 20-MW AFBC Pilot Plant. The pilot plant was built to bridge the gap between the small process development units and utility-scale demonstration plants. To date, the pilot plant has operated successfully for over 20,000 hours in a test program cosponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute. The purpose of the test program was to address the technical uncertainties associated with application of the AFBC process for the utility industry. The test program emphasized investigations of process performance, coal and limestone feeding, system and equipment reliability, and turndown and control system development. The confidence that was gained from the operation of the pilot plant has encouraged TVA and others to move forward with utility-scale demonstration of fluidized bed combustion. TVA's operating experience at the 20-MW AFBC Pilot Plant is discussed.