Title of Invention

" AN ASSEMBLY OF A CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR ARRANGEMENT AND A SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM"

Abstract A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system (150) employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace (10) together with a dry scrubber system (220) to achieve enhanced NOx reduction.
Full Text -1-
AN ASSEMBLY OF A CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED REACTOR ARRANGEMENT AND A SELECTIVE CATALYTIC REDUCTION SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to circulating fladized bed (CFB) reactors or combustors and, more particularly, to a CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace to achieve enhanced NOx reduction capability.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Environmental protection and the control of solid, liquid and gaseous effluents or emissions are key elements in the design of steam generating systems which utilize the heat generated by the combustion of fossil fuels to generate steam. At present, the most significant of these emissions axe sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOX), and airborne particuiate.
NOx refers to the cumulative emissions of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and trace quantities of other species generated during combustion. Once the fuel is chosen, NO, emissions are minimized using low NOx combustion technology and postcoxnbustios techniques. If combustion modifications alone are insufficient, postcombustion techniques such as selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems may be employed. In SNCR or SCR systems, NOx is reduced to nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O) through a series of reactions with a chemical reagent injected into the flue gas. Ammonia and urea are the most commonly used chemical reagents with SNCR systems, while ammonia is most commonly used for SCR systems.
Fluidized bed combustion has distinct advantages for burning solid fuels and recovering energy to produce steam; indeed, the primary driving force for the development of fluidized bed

-2-
combustors in the United States is reduced SO2 andNOx emissions. Typically, this technology can. be used to bum high sulfux coals and achieve low SO2 emission levels without the need for additional back-end sulfur removal equipment Fluidized bed boilers are designed so that the bed operating temperature is between 1500 and 1600° F, resulting in lower NOx emissions. These lower operating temperatures also permit combustion of lower grade fuels (which generally have high slagging and fouling characteristics) without experiencing many of the operational difficulties which normally occur when such fuels are burned.
In CFB reactors or corabustors, reacting and non-reacting solids are entrained within a reactor enclosure by an upward gas flow which carries the solids to an exit at an upper portion of the reactor enclosure. There, the solids are typically collected by a primary particle separator, of impact type or cyclone type and returned to a bottom portion of the reactor enclosure either directly or through one or more conduits. The impact type primary particle separator at the reactor enclosure exit typically collects from 90% to 97% of the circulating solids. If required by the process, axi additional solids collector may be installed downstream of the impact type primary particle separator to collect additional solids for eventual return to the reactor enclosure.
CFB reactors or combustors are known (see, for example, U,S, Patent No, 5.343.830 to Alexander et si.) wherein the two or more rows of impingement members located within the furnace or reactor enclosure are followed by a second array of staggered impingement members which further separate particles from the gas stream, and return them via cavity means and particle return means without external and internal recycle conduits.
Both SCR and SNCR systems have been applied to reduce NOX emissions from pulverized coal fired steam generating systems, SKCR systetns have also been applied to fluidized bed steam generators, and it has been proposed to combine a CFB steam generator for petroleum cake firing with an SCR system.
SUMMAR Y OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactors or combustors and provides a system to achieve low NOx emissions at lowest operating cost Fluidized bed combustion technologies provide combustion temperatures that are much lower (1550 -16000F) at the point of fuel admission than in pulverized coal combustion systems, where the combustion temperatures may be 2500 - 3000°F. This difference in combustion

temperature contributes to a large difference in uncontrolled NOx emissions from the fluidized bed. Uncontrolled NOx emissions from pulverized coal technologies typically ranges from 0.3 to 0.7 lbs/106 Btu, but NOx emissions from fluidized bed technologies is several times less, typically 0.12 - 0.2 lbs/106 Btu. However, even more stringent emissions regulations are being encountered, typically on the order of 0.10 lbs/106 Btu. This degree of NOx reduction has been accomplished on fluid bed technologies with. SNCR systems (spraying ammonia at locations where the gas temperatures are in the range of 1450 - 1650°F), and on pulverized coal technologies with SCR systems (spraying ammonia at locations where the gas temperatures are in the range of 750°F). However, experience with SCR. technology has shown that less ammonia is needed for a given reduction in NOx and the unreacted ammonia leaving the system is less than with SNCR technology (usually, Sppm with SCR as compared with 25ppm with SNCR). Since the initial NOX in fluidized bed systems is lower, the NOx after the SCR system can be much lower with only a minimal -use of catalyst and ammonia.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is drawn to a combination of a CFB reactor or combustor and an SCR system The combination comprises a CFB reactor enclosure for conveying a flow of flue gas/solids therethrough, primary particle separator means for separating solids particles from the flow of flue gas/solids, and means for returning the solids particles collected by the primary particle separator means to the reactor enclosure. At least one of superheater and reheater heat transfer surface is located downstream of the primary particle separator means with respect to the flow of flue gas/solids. Multiclone dust collector means, located downstream of the at least one of superheater and reheater heat transfer surface, are provided for further separating solids particles from the flow of flue gas/solids, together with means for returning the solids particles collected by the multiclone dust collector means to the reactor enclosure. An SCR system is located downstream of the multic'ione dust collector means for removing NOx from the flow of flue gas/solids, and dry scrubber means is located downstream of the SCR system. Finally, means are provided for injecting ammonia into the flow of flue gas/solids upstream of the SCR system to cause the chemical reactions which reduce the NOx emissions.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific benefits attained by its uses,

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
5 In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the combination of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor or combustor and SCR system according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the combination of a circulating fluidized bed
10 (CFB) reactor or combustor and SCR system according to a second
embodiment of the invention; and
Fig, 3 is a schematic representation of the combination of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactOT or combustor and SCR system according to a third embodiment of the invention. 15
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As used herein, the term CFB combustor refers to a type of CFB reactor where a combustion process takes place. While the present invention is directed particularly to boilers or steam generators which employ CFB conibustors as the means by which the heat is produced. 20 it is understood that the present invention can readily be employed in a different land of CFB reactor. For example, the invention could be applied in a reactor that is employed for chemical reactions other than a combustion process, or where a gas/solids mixture from a combustion process occurring elsewhere is provided to the reactor for further processing, or where the reactor merely provides an enclosure wherein particles or solids are entrained in a gas that is not 25 necessarily a byproduct of a combustion process.
To the extent necessary to describe the general. operation of CFB reactors and combustors, the reader is referred to Chapter 16 of Steam/itg_generation and use. 40th Edition, Stuhz and Kitto, Eds, Copyright © 1992, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and to U.S. Patent No. 5,343,830 to Alexander et aL, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference as though 30 fully set form herein. For background information concerning NO, reduction techniques and apparatus in general, and to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems in particular, the reader

-5-
is also refened to the aforementioned Steam text, at Chapter 34 thereof, the text of which is also hereby incorporated by reference as though rally set forth herein.
Referring generally to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar elements throughout the several drawings, and to Figs, 1 - 3 in particular, there is shown a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor or coaibustor, generally designated 10, comprising a reactor enclosure 20 having an upper portion 30. The reactor enclosure 20 is typically rectangular in cross-section and is defined by fluid cooled enclosure walls typically comprised of water and/or steam conveying tubes separated from one another by a steel membrane to achieve a gas-tight reactor enclosure 20.
Fuel 40 such as coal, sorbent 50 such as limestone, and combustion air 60 are provided into the reactor enclosure 20 using means well known to those skilled in the art The combustion process occurring within a lower portion of the reactor enclosure 20 thus produces a flow of flue gas/solids 70 which is conveyed upwardly out of the reactor enclosure 20, passing across several solids particle and heat removal stages, as will be herein described, before being conveyed to the atmosphere.
Located in the upper portion 30 of the reactor enclosure 20, in the direction of the flue gas/solids flow 70, primary particle separator means SO are provided to collect solids particles from the flow of flue gas/solids 70 so that they may be returned to a lower portion of the reactor enclosure 20, Preferably, the primary particle separator means 80 comprises an array of staggered, impact type particle separators (not shown). The staggered, impact type particle separators are non-planar; they may be U-shaped, E-shaped, W-shaped or any other shape which presents a cupped or concave surface configuration to the flow of incoming flue gas/solids 70. Alternatively, the primary particle separator means 80 may comprise a cyclone separator of known construction (not shown); in that case, a downstream multiclone dust collector (described infra) would typically not be provided.
Solids particles 90 removed from the flow of flue gas/solids flow 70 are returned to the reactor enclosure 20, either via L-valves, J-valves or via internal recirculation such as is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,343,830 to Alexander et al., and thus this return is merely schematically indicated in the Figs.
The flow of flue gas/solids 70 is then conveyed to and across one or more banks of heat transfer surface comprising superheater (SH) and/or reheater (RH) surface 100, and then (in Figs.

-6-
1 and 2) to a secondary stage of particle separation typically employing a multiclone dust collector (MDC) 110. Solids particles 120 removed by the MDC 110 axe returned to the reactor enclosure 20 via little 130, and the flue gas/solids 70 is then conveyed to and across one or more banks of economizer (EC) heat transfer surface 140 before being conveyed to an SCR system 150.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the placement of the MDC 110 and EC 140 may be reversed, such that the flue gas/solids 70 is conveyed from the SH/RH 100 to the EC 140 and then to the MDC 110. In any of the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1-3, and as well known to those skilled in the art, the particular amount of EC 140 employed would depend upon the desired flue gas temperature entering the SCR 150 for proper optimum operation. From there, the flow of flue gas/solids 70 would be conveyed to the SCR 150 as before. Means 160 for injecting ammonia into the flow of flue gas/solids 70 at a location upstream of the SCR 150 are also provided.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, it may be possible to combine the injection of urea or ammonia at a suitable location (with respect to temperature, etc.) in the flue gaa/solids flow 70 to achieve further NO, reduction.
Upon leaving the SCR 150, the flue gas/solids 70 is then typically conveyed to and across another bank of EC surface, this time designated 170 for clarity, and then to air heater means 180 of known design. Air heater means 180 may be of the regenerative or recuperative type. Next, in the direction of flue gas/solids flow 70, a final particulate collection means 190 is provided, and which may comprise either a baghouse or electrostatic precipitator. Particles 200 collected by the particulate collection means 190 may also be returned to the reactor enclosure 20 via line 210. Downstream of the particulate collection means 190 may also be provided a dry scrubber reactor system, generally designated 220, for sulfur capture from the flue gaa/solids 70. For a description of dry scrubber systems and their general principles of operation, the reader is referred to Chapter 35 of Steam/its generation and use. 40th Edition, Stultz and Kitto, Eds, Copyright © 1992, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, the text of which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein. Finally, an induced draft fan 250 would receive the flue gas/solids 70 and convey it to a stack 260 in known fashion.

-7-
The present invention recognizes that CaO, produced in the bed of a CFB reactor or combustor, is potentially detrimental to the catalyatused in an SCR system 150. The range of gas/solids analyses that might be expected downstream of the MDC 110 is as follows:
Gas Analysis. Vol. % Solids Analysis. Wt. %
CO2 14-15 CaO 4-14
H2O 7-15 CaSO, 8-16
O2 3-4 C 6-10
SO2 0.02 - 0.04 (200-400ppm) Ash balance
N3 balance (? major ash constituents are
SiO2,Al2O3,Fe2O3)
However, if sulfur reduction is performed using limestone feed, there should be less CaO content in the flue gas/solids as the Ca/S ratio for a given sulfur capture is lower in a CFB. Additionally, using a dry scrubber 220 for sulfur capture, as a sole means or along with sorbent feed into the reactor enclosure 20, may be further beneficial in reducing CaO content in any ash particles entering the SCR system 150, thereby further reducing NO, emissions, since CaO works as a catalyst in generating NO.. Further, while the dry scrubber 220 has been illustrated in the Figs as being located downstream of the particulate collection means 190, it may be desirable to reverse the order of these two elements 190, 220 to reduce particulate emissions to the atmosphere, and also to permit at least a portion of any unused sorbent (CaO) which.may be contained in the flue gas/solids 70 to be introduced into the dry scrubber 220 and thereby provide an additional source of sorbent for use in the sulfur oxides reduction process taking place in the dry scrubber 220.
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. For example, the present invention may be applied to new construction involving CFB reactors or combustors, or to the repair, replacement, or modification of existing CFB reactors or combustors. In some embodiments of the invention, certain features of the invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, all such changes and embodiments properly fall within the scope and equivalents of the following claims.
A CFB reactor or combustor having a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system (150) employed downstream of the CFB reactor or combustor furnace (10) together with a dry scrubber system (220) to achieve enhanced NOx reduction.


Documents:


Patent Number 209436
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2001/01007/KOL
PG Journal Number 35/2007
Publication Date 31-Aug-2007
Grant Date 30-Aug-2007
Date of Filing 27-Sep-2001
Name of Patentee THE BABCOX & WILCOX COMPANY
Applicant Address 1615 POYDRAS STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA 70112,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 WIETZKE DONALD L 4611 BRIARCLIFF TRAIL, COPLEY OHIO 44321,
2 MARYAMCHIK MIKHAIL 2807 SUMMIT ROAD, COPLEY OHIO 44321, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
3 SILVEY MICHAEL L 5104 SHERLIN AVENUE, N.W. MASSILLON, OHIO 44646, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
4 SZMANIA MICHAEL L 1036 SMITH ROAD, MEDINA OHIO 44256, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PCT International Classification Number B 01 J 8/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/US01/03786
PCT International Filing date 2001-02-06
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 09/503,218 2000-02-13 U.S.A.