Part 2 CCT Overview
Coal-fired Power Generation Technologies (Combustion Technologies)

2A7. Advanced Pressurized Fluidized-bed Combustion Technology (A-PFBC)
Research and development: Japan Coal Energy Center; J-POWER; Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.;and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Project type: Coal Production and Utilization Technology Promotion Grant
Period: 1996-2002

Technology Overview

1. Overview
The development of high-efficiency power-generation technology

temperature at the inlet of the gas turbine from approximately

utilizing coal is an urgent issue from the perspective of reducing

850oC to approximately 1,350oC, and to recover the high-greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources. Advanced

temperature steam, thus attaining more efficient powerPressurized Fluidized-bed Combustion (A-PFBC) technology is ageneration (approximately 46% net efficiency; approximately 40%

further advancement of the Pressurized Fluidized-bed Combustion

for existing coal-fired power plants) through combining PFBC(PFBC) technology. The development aim is to increase thetechnology with the fluidized-bed gasification technology.

Synthesis gas cooler
Limestone

Desulfurizer

CycloneCeramic filter

PartialgasifierCombustorAsh

Gas turbine
AirChar
Coal
Flue gasGas flow
AirAshSteam flow

Steam turbine

Oxdizer (PFBC)

Fig. 1 Flowchart of A-PFBC combined power generation system

2. Development objective and technology to be developed(2) Moderation of gasification conditions(1) High-efficiency power generation

Carbon conversion: approximately 85%

Net efficiency: approximately 46%- Increase of gas turbine inlet temperature- Gasification in the partial gasifier in combination with the(from approximately 850oC to approximately 1,350oC)

oxidizer (perfect oxidizing atmosphere)- Recovery of high-temperature steam(3) Utilization of results of related technologies(High-temperature steam recovery at the synthesis gas cooler- PFBC technology

applying the high-temperature desulfurizer)- Various coal gasification technologies

33Clean Coal Technologies in Japan

3. Progress and development results
Aiming for the practical application of the above-describedsystem, the study team installed a small-scale processdevelopment unit (Fig. 3) at J-POWER’s Wakamatsu ResearchInstitute (Kita Kyushu City). The PDU test operations began inJuly 2001. By the end of FY2002, the cumulative gasification
operation time had reached 1,200 hours, and the continuous
gasification operations had reached 190 hours. The PDU test
Desulfurizer

confirmed the successful integration of the three-reactors,
which was one of the objectives of the system validation, andthe acquired characteristics of each reactor, thus confirming thePartial gasifier

data necessary for scaling-up.
Further development requires a validation of the total system,

Oxidizer

combined with a gas turbine in a pilot-scale plant.
(1) Overview of the process development unit (PDU) test
Objectives of the test
For the three-reactor combined system (oxidizer, partial gasifier,and desulfurizer), (Fig. 2), data is acquired on thereaction characteristics and operation characteristics, and theFig. 2 PDU: Schematic layout of the three reactors

validation of the process is carried out in order to acquire
information necessary for scaling-up the system.
- Validation of the three-reactor link process- Confirmation of the performance of the individual systems(oxidation, gasification, desulfurization, etc.)- Confirmation of basic operability- Information on various characteristics, acquisition of data forscaling-up, etc.

Fig. 3 PDU overview

A-PFBC development schedule
Fiscal year
Item

FY1996

FY1997

FY1998FY1999FY2000FY2001

FY2002(1) Research plan, technology study(2) Elementary test and F/S
Installation completed
Design, manufacturing, and installation(3) PDU test (15 t/d)

Test operation(4) Process evaluation

Reference

Preprint for the 13th Coal Utilization Technology Congress, "A-PFBC"; sponsored by the Center for Coal Utilization (now known as JCOAL).

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