Europaisches P a t e n t a m t

(19)

European Patent Office

Publication number:

Office europeen des brevets

EUROPEAN

Application number:

081

114

A2

PATENT

82110650.7

@ Date of filing: 18.11.82

Priority: 07.12.81 US 327844

Date of publication of application:
1S.06.83 Bulletin 83/24
Designated Contracting States:
DE FR IT

Method of firing a pulverized fuel-fired steam generator.

A method of firing a pulverized fuel-fired steam generator furnace wherein a mixture of recirculated cleaned flue
gas and air Is supplied to the mill for drying the pulverized
fuel in the mill and transporting the pulverized fuel to the
furnace. The volume flow rate of the gaseous mixture of
recirculated flue gas and air is controlled in response to the
feed rate of fuel to the mill to maintain a mixture to fuel ratio
in the transport stream of about but not less than 1.5. The
volume flow rate of recirculated flue gas with respect to the
volume flow rate of air is controlled to maintain the oxygen
content of the gaseous mixture at a level of at least 12% by
volume and preferably in the range of 12 to 15% by volume.
M
<

APPLICATION

int. ci.3: F 23 K 3 / 0 2
F 23 K 1/04, F 23 C 9 / 0 0
F 23 L 15/04, F 23 N 1/02

Applicant: Societe Francaise des Techniques Lummus

Tour Franklin Cedex No.11
F-92081 Paris La Defense 8(FR)
Inventor: Hamilton, Thomas Berton
54 Crocus Lane
Farmington Connecticut 06032(US)

3ACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The p r e s e n t

invention

steam

in the

mill

to the

of

mixture

gaseous
fuel

mixture

gaseous
level

in the

and the

gaseous

In f i r i n g

mixture
solid

the

fuel

must

be introduced

into

the

and peat,
mill

wherein

the

substantially
adequate

Typically,
for

drying

the

furnace

to

This

and

to o b t a i n
medium

provide

rate

of

feed

rate

air

in t h e

a desired

oxygen

as coal,

such
is

to the
of

dried

lignite

before

accomplished

is s i m u l t a n e o u s l y

gaseous

in t h e

pulverized

sufficient

is a d m i t t e d

sufficient

it can

heat

to the

and
for
mill

heat t o

fuel.

in the
the

for combustion

fuels,

furnace.
In order

used to t r a n s p o r t

furnace

fossil

flow

of

mill.

the

be comminuted

necessary

rate

maintain

entering

fuel

a hot

moisture

evaporate
then

solid

dried.

drying,

in a q u a n t i t y

to

is c o n t r o l l e d

flow

pulverized
mixture

volume

the

in r e s p o n s e

volume

fuel

in a gaseous

wherein

is c o n t r o l l e d

mill

to the

and air

gas

the

by conveying

entrained

furnace

flue

recirculated
the

furnace

generator

to t h e

generally

f u e l - f i r e d steam g e n e r a t o r f u r n a c e s
to a method of f i r i n g a p u l v e r i z e d f u e l -

o p e r a t i o n of p u l v e r i z e d
and, more p a r t i c u l a r l y ,
fired

relates

The same gaseous medium i s

p u l v e r i z e d coal from the mill to t h e

therein.

the

and s u b s e q u e n t
is p r e h e a t e d

gaseous

medium s u p p l i e d

transport
air.

of the

As the

to tne m i l l

pulverized

pulverized

fuel

fuel-air

to

enters

mixture
is
the

and combustion

furnace

to o x i d i z e

available

readily

fuel.

the

of

One c o n s t i t u e n t

fuel

of the

structure

complex o r g a n i c

constituents

pulverized

this

begins,

in the

oxygen

pulverized

is n i t r o g e n

fuel.

This

bound

tends

nitrogen

oxygen in the e a r l i e r s t a g e s
form n i t r i c o x i d e , a major p o l l u t a n t .

in

combine with

of

combustion

to

Thus t h e r e

is

that

to

readily
concern

could

stream
fuel

lead to

ratio

in the

formation

increased

transport

of n i t r o g e n

oxide

from

bound n i t r o g e n .
the

Typically,

is c o n t r o l l e d

the

mill

the

mill.

rate

to coal

air

a high

Also,

of fuel

to the

the

fuel

feed

in r e s p o n s e
ratio

rate

increasing
fuel

and t h e r e f o r e

generator,

of the

consequence of the i n c r e a s e
r a t e as load d e c r e a s e s , the
fuel-air

pulverized
increases.

That

the

flow
the

as

feed

of

rate

to

load with

over

changes

flow

volume

of

ratio

air

air

availablity

of

to

fuel

to the

of air

load on the

to
feed

flow r a t e

steam

decreases.

rate,

in the

feed rate

rate

air

preheated

flow r a t e

As a

to fuel

of oxygen

feed

in t h e

stream

being conveyed to the f u r n a c e

air to fuel r a t i o , and t h e r e f o r e

the

is,

the

This
pounds of oxygen a v a i l a b l e per pound of f u e l , i n c r e a s e s .
i n c r e a s e in air to fuel r a t i o as load d e c r e a s e s l e a d s to a
increase

further

of n i t r o g e n

oxide

from fuel

bound

low l o a d .

at

nitrogen

in f o r m a t i o n

solution

One proposed
formation

of n i t r o g e n

transport

stream

oxide

has

been

to the

at

high

air

substitute

to

problem of
to

fuel

increased
in t h e

ratios

recirculated

flue

gas

as the gaseous medium feed to the mill to dry and

However, e x p e r i e n c e has shown
t r a n s p o r t the p u l v e r i z e d f u e l .
for

that

air

substituting

recirculated

transport

medium

led to

admission

of the

pulverized

to the

to provide
as the

ignition

gas

for

air

instability

as t h e

problems

fuel-recirculated

flue

upon
gas m i x t u r e

furnace.
It

wherein

flue

is t h e r e f o r e

a method

a mixture
drying

satisfactory

of

of

an o b j e c t

firing

ignition

a pulverized

recirculated

and conveying

of the

medium

stability.

flue

present

invention

fuel-steam

generator

gas and air can be u s e d

in the mill while e n s u r i n g

A furthur
oxide

nitric

in the

Still
maintain

another

efficient

gas and air

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the

in a c c o r d a n c e

provided
firing

demand on the
recirculated
the
fuel

feed

steam

to the

rate

flue

fuel

in the

furnace,

as the

steam

invention

mill

and air

of

furnace

a mixture

of

mill

to the

and conveying
the

a method

for

supplying

controlling

is

there

pulverizing
in r e s p o n s e to l o a d

controlled

mill

medium.

drying

generator

to the

gas

control ting

in view,

objects

present

generator,

cleaned

pulverized

the

fuel

solid

feeding

at a fuel

therein

mixture

fuel-fired

a pulverized

comprising

with

limit

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n is t o
mill while using a

the

mentioned

afore

via

nitrogen

to

is

medium.

of the

within

drying

fuel

recirculated

bound

transport

object

invention

present

from fuel

formation

availablity

oxygen

of the

object

for

the

volume flow

drying

pulverized
rate

of t h e

gaseous mixture of r e c i r c u l a t e d flue gas and air in r e s p o n s e

the feed r a t e of fuel to the m i l l , to m a i n t a i n a g a s e o u s
mixture

to

fuel

but not

less

ratio

weight

in the

mixture

gaseous

of

about

1.5.

than

The oxygen c o n t e n t of the gaseous m i x t u r e o f

r e c i r c u l a t e d f l u e gas and air e n t e r i n g the mill I is measured
the. volume

flow

flow r a t e

of air

response

rate

to the

to

of

recirculated

controlled
oxygen

level

in the

least

12% by volume

gaseous

flue

with

gas

r e s p e c t to
measurement so as to

mixture

the

entering

and p r e f e r a b l y

in the

and the

maintain

mill

at
of

range

volume

other

each

and

in

the

oxygen

a level

of a t

12 to

15% by

volume.
BRIEF DESCRIPTiON OF THE DRAWING
Figure

1 is a s e c t i o n a l

side

a p u l v e r i z e d f u e l - f i r e d steam g e n e r a t o r
with the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , and
Figure
the

means for

2 is an e n l a r g e d

controlling
with

fuel,

side

air,

elevational
fired

view

showing

in a c c o r d a n c e

elevation

view

and r e c i r c u l a t e d

showing
gas

flow

the

present i n v e n t i o n .
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMRODIMENT
in accordance

Referring

now to the

drawing

and p a r t i c u l a r i t y

to

steam
walls

12 wherein

within

water

steam,

the

it

10.

furnace

and then

temperature

is passed

absorbs

heat

partially

from the
is

The s t e a m - w a t e r

collected

in

the

and water

are s e p a r a t e d .

The water

separated

steam

the

drum 14

the

water

16,
exit

walls

such

as

12.

heat

in heat

exchange
in the

generated
e x i t duct
gas e x i t

duct

disposed

therein,

heat to the

the

16,

steam-water
surface

exchange

disposed

in the

gas

the

steam

10 with

furnace

furnace

steam

with

relationship

hot

10 and

flue

the

steam

of

range

the

is heated
flue

hot

leaving

typically
typically

120 to

furnace

10

in the

the

steam

the

it

as

passes

gases
10 t h r o u g h

furnace

the

through

with

air

duct

18.

collector
entrained

in the

collector

surface

heating

during

The cool

flue

air
Also

16

22 is passed

in h e a t

supplied

downstream

disposed

combustion

flue

gas

through

of

the

matter
is

process

leaving

to t h e

downstream

18 is a p a r t i c u l a t e
and other p a r t i c u l a t e

the

clean

gas

being

20 d i s p o s e d

10 in gas e x i t duct
22 wherein ash p a r t i c l e s

particulate

16

by t r a n s t e r i n g

steam

the

combustion

furnace

removed t h e r e f r o m .

surface

heating

The
range of 320 to 370 C.
f u r t h e r cooled to a t e m p e r a t u r e in

preheater

gas

10 t h r o u g h

furnace

in the

gas e x i t

flue

the

is cooled

gas

150 C by p a s s i n g

relationship
10 through

leaving

gas

hot flue

flowing

furnace
of the

heat

through

p r o v i d i n g a flow passage for c o n v e y i n g t h e

In p a s s i n g t h r o u g h
furnace to the s t a c k .

18 t r a v e r s e s

to a t e m p e r a t u r e
flue gas is then
exchange

from the

in

mixture

and r e c i r c u l a t e d

the

12 i s

walls

water

18.
As the

the

saturation

drum 14 w h e r e i n

to

surface,

fuel

form a s t e a m - w a t e r

the

through

and r e h e a t

surface

exchange

to

12.

water

of

to

steam-water

removed

interconnects

g e n e r a t o r s t a c k for
gases formed in the
the

water

drum 14 is passed

18 which

duct

feed

The steam

superheat

heated

leaving

from the

the

through

first

and passed

header

is mixed with

in the

mixture

mixture

walls

combustion

evaporated

mixture.

an-outtet

of water

upwardly

The water

fuel-fired

a pulverized

10 formed

a furnace

having

generator

To g e n e r a t e

therein

is d e p i c t e d

there

1,

Figure

the

fan 24 and

vented

to

the

atmosphere.via

the

cool

clean
The

Into the

introduction

conventional

with
the

furnace

steam

fuel,
at

shown)
wherein
size.

fuel

to the
the

gases
through

to

the t o t a l

heat
the

in the

fuel
load

in r e s p o n s e
for

10.

furnace

amount of

as shown

release

given
drawing,

is e n t r a i n e d

fired

furnace,

is

therein and

The p r e h e a t e d

stream.

coal

particle

preheated

air

by t h e

used

in drying

the

pulverized

used to t r a n s p o r t

also

dried

the
coal

28.

burners

15% of the t o t a l
windbox

the

load,

coal

the

and t r a n s p o r t

in dryinq

fuel

like

powder

p u l v e r i z e r 36 from the air p r e h e a t e r

p r e h e a t e d air sweeps through the p u l v e r i z e r 3 6 ,

coal

air

to a fine

pulverized

At full

used

flue

supplied

generation

firing,

in h e a t

to the

the comminated

through

fuel

is comminuted

air is s u p p l i e d
outlet.
As the

to the

steam

30.

as raw coal, is fed from a s t o r a g e bin ( n o t

a c o n t r o l l e d r a t e through feeder 34 to p u l v e r i z e r 36

In a t y p i c a l

pulverized

provide

the

fuel

such

the

preheated

is

practice,

to

a desired

to y i e l d

18,

is c o n t r o l l e d

generator

pulverized

20 with

preheater

atmosphere.

by p a s s i n g

box 30 for

generator d e s i g n .
In p u l v e r i z e d

solid

preheated

wind

demand on the

coal

in air

to the

of

pressure

in windboxes

duct

into

necessary

been

the

by i n j e c t i n g

10 through

In accordance
injected

is vented

furnace

duct 32 to the

steam

has

which

24 b o o s t s

28 disposed

by b u r n e r s

air,

the

leaving

gas before it
f u r n a c e 10 is f i r e d

relationship

exchange

The fan

flue

furnace

Combustion

26.

stack

combustion
30.
the

air

used to

to the
air

However,
pulverized

burners

supplied

at

dry the

is t y p i c a l l y

to the

low loads the

coal

pulverized
10 t o
10

furnace
preheated

and t r a n s f e r i n g

the

air

coal

to

the furnace i n c r e a s e s to 20% to 30% of the t o t a l c o m b u s t i o n

air.
N a t u r a l l y , the amount of fuel s u p p l i e d to the f u r n a c e 10
as

load d e c r e a s e s

fired

furnace,

to p u l v e r i z e r s
about

1.5

at

result

of t h i s

stream

at

low

the

decreases.

also
ratio

36 to the

Therefore,

on a t y p i c a l

basis

air

on a weight
fuel

feed

rate

of the

thereto

coal

flow

increases

rate
from

load to as high as 3 or 4 at low load.

As a
i n c r e a s e d oxygen a v a i l a b i l i t y in the t r a n s p o r t

full

loads,

it

is thought

that

a greater

amount o f

oxides

bound

inherently

nitrogen

low

at

load than

In order
to

nitrogen
the

therefore

the

clean

air

flow

normally

accordance

with

the

clean

flue

gas

stack

26

ambient

flue

recirculated
to the

for

traverses

As the air
duct 40 it

is passed

in heat

the

400 C.
the

As will

air

heater

and

and f l u e
of the

gas

illustrated

g e n e r a t o r load
r e s p o n s e t h e r e t o the

steam

transmits

a signal

regulates

the

of

the

signal

the

in the

fine

flow r a t e
and fuel

55 from the
to

the

oxygen

mill

36.

it

gases

is t h e r e f o r e
of 260 t o

with

to

signal

fuel-feed

feeder

34 which

feed

to the

controller

air

preheated

the t e m p e r a t u r e

36.
may be

process

fuel

as b e s t
3 indicative of

controller

50.

50 g e n e r a t e s
in r e s p o n s e

pulverizer

50 g e n e r a t e s
of the

the

of

and c o n t r o l l e r s

controller

fuel

flue

range

tuning

feed

53 i n d i c a t i v e

volume

inlet

fuel

the

18 and

duct

dampers

A master

controller

The air
signal

of

is sent

51 to

rate

Additionally,
mixture

with

is remixed

as a means of

a series
in Figure 2.

duct 40

through

in more d e t a i l
later, a portion
may be bypassed around the a i r

duct 44 and

through

and

gas m i x t u r e
p r e h e a t e r 20 where

g a s e o u s mixture s u p p l i e d to the mill

The c o n t r o l of the f u r n a c e f i r i n g

obtained

second

exit

the

flue

relationship

to a t e m p e r a t u r e

mixture

In

24 to t h e

fan

The air

conveyed

air

through

gas mixture

20 through

a portion
36.

of the c o o l e d

booster

36.

and r e c i r c u l a t e d

be d e s c r i b e d

fuel

of

pulverizer

10 through

furnace

gas for
pulverizer

by

duct 38 and mixed with

through

passes

stream

a portion

outlet

by

and

flue

invention,

the

is c o n t e m p l a t e d

transport

to the

nitrooen

bound

amount of a i r ,

in the

supplied

exchange

typically

preheated

the

fuel

of

it

to

loads.

high

load,

gas mixture is then

36 by fan 4 2 .

pulverizer

leaving

at

conversion

low

from the

passing

supply

is c o n v e r t e d

recirculated

present

recirculated

air

at

content,

cooled

is

the

to c o n t r o l

oxygen

substituting
of the

oxide

invention

coal

is c o n v e r t e d

to reduce

nitrogen

present

in the

rate

and

thereto

3 6 .

and t r a n s m i t s
feed

In

to

70.

gas flow c o n t r o l l e r 60 r e c e i v e s a
monitor 52 d i s p o s e d in gas duct 40 a t
Signal

55 is

indicative

of t h e

of the

content

oxygen

36.

mill

entering

the

60 sends

a control

open or close
recirculation

air

In r e s p o n s e
61 to

signal

gas damper
duct 3 8 .

64

damper

to

flue

damoer

with

the

the

62 to

drive

gas

15% by volume.

in the

it

in the

is a d v i s a b l e
in the

stream

were used

only

the

inlet

flow

rate

the

stay

if t h e

stream

drops

below

12%.

Further,

in the
to

fuel

bound

medium,

the

transport

reduce

nitric
level

oxygen

oxide

If a i r

nitrogen.

mill

the

to

56 is

would

be

36 to monitor
of

air

in the

gas d u c t
volume f l o w

disposed
the

and r e c i r c u l a t e d

56 sends

a signal

flue

gas
59 i n d i c a t i v e o f

flow r a t e of gaseous mixture to the mill

70.
In r e s p o n s e to signal 53 i n d i c a t i v e

volume
controller
feed

oxygen
above 12%

furnace

monitor

of the

the

the

the

of

gaseous m i x t u r e
Flow monitor
therethrough.
rate

mill

the

within

oxygen level
12 to 15% i n o r d e r

oxidation

within

36 a t

occur

the

as a t r a n s p o r t

A volume
the

the

mill

that

important

maintain

21% by v o l u m e .

approximately
40 near

of

range

from the

formation

transport

to keep

is

entering

will

instability

level

oxygen

mixture

gaseous

as combustion

It

flue

60 so as to

oxygen level in the gaseous mixture e n t e r i n g

a level of at l e a s t 12% by volume and p r e f e r a b l y
of 12 to

the

invention,

present

the

range
level

controller

selectively

in flue

by c o n t r o l l e r

is m a n i p u l a t e d

mixture

gas

55,

signal

64 d i s p o s e d

flue

In a c c o r d a n c e
gas

recirculated

and

59 i n d i c a t i v e

and signal

70 sends

controller

and a control

a control

73 to

signal

of

mixture

signal

damper

drive

volume

71 to
74 to

to
of f u e l
flow

rate,

drive

damper

selectively

72

open

C o n t r o l l e r 70 is p r e dampers 76 and 78 r e s p e c t i v e l y .
programed to maintain the volume flow r a t e of the g a s e o u s

or close

of air

mixture

preselected

value

On a weight

rate.
mixture
about

and r e c i r c u l a t e d

to

1.5

fuel

should

in order

gaseous mixture
furnace.

to

In order

upon the

dependent
basis,
to
dry

flue

the

ratio

be m a i n t a i n e d
ensure
the

that

coal

to e n s u r e

gas

to the

instantaneous
of the
at

there

flow

a value
is

drying

fuel

a
feed

of g a s e o u s
greater than

sufficient

and t r a n s p o r t

proper

at

mill

the

of the

coal

volume
to t h e

pulverized

of

coal

in the mill 36, the gaseous mixture s u p p l i e d

36 must be at a s u f f i c i e n t t e m p e r a t u r e to provide
to e v a p o r a t e
mill

36.

the

moisture

mill

the

93 i n d i c a t i v e
mixture

gaseous

81 to
74.

drive

which

is the

drive

mixture

around

closing

dampers

maintains

as the

fuel

the

and t r a n s m i t s

air

preheater.
76 and 78 r e l a t i v e

of the

dependent

76 d i s p o s e d
air

20.

preheater

in gas

duct 44

of the

gaseous

opening and
c o n t r o l l e r 80

By s e l e c t i v e l y
to each o t h e r ,

with

in gas

mixture

each other

by

back

gaseous

upon

mixture

fuel

feed

temperature

a level
the

mill

the

separated

and also

gaseous

to ensure

is at

mill

to the

rate

of the

sufficient

76 and 78,
is

83 to damper

a portion

70 and 80 c o o p e r a t e

a control

signal

damper

bypassing

to t h e

In r e s p o n s e

downstream of the

for

s i g n a l s so t h a t dampers 76 and 78 may be

opened or closed to m a i n t a i n both the volume f l o w

selectively

maintain

80.

damper 78 disposed

duct

the

and t r a n s m i t s

t e m p e r a t u r e of the coal and gaseous

mill 36 at a level of about 85 C.

means of feed

and air

the

gas t e m p e r a t u r e

72 and a c o n t r o l

just

Controllers

damper

mixture

gaseous

the

the

leaving

controller

72 a c t u a t e s

74 a c t u a t e s
bypass

outlet

80 g e n e r a t e s

drive

damper

duct 40 at a l o c a t i o n

leaving

of the

90 g e n e r a t e s

mill

temperature

Damper

Damper

monitor

of the

controller

the

thereto,

at

in t h e

pulverized

enough to ensure t h a t
fuel does not condense

from the

The t e m p e r a t u r e

rate

heat

gaseous mixture t r a n s p o r t i n g
from the mill to the b u r n e r s 2 8 .

fuel

pulverized

drive

enough

of the

temperature

signal

fuel

mill

Therefore, a t e m p e r a t u r e
conveyed to the f u r n a c e .
90 is disposed at the o u t l e t of the mill 36 to m o n i t o r

monitor

signal

in the

temperature

must be high

evaporated

being

the

contained

Additionally,

leaving
is

moisture

to the

about

at a p r e s e l e c t e d

that

to

simultaneously

mixture
the

entering

temperature

85 C. By s e l e c t i v e l y

level

the m i l l
mixture

positioning

gaseous mixture of r e c i r c u l a t e d flue gas

into a f i r s t p o r t i o n which is passed in

exchange r e l a t i o n s h i p with the flue gas leaving t h e

furnace through the air p r e h e a t e r 20 and a second p o r t i o n

heat

is not p r e h e a t e d

but

bypasses

44 to remix with

the

preheated

the

air

gaseous

preheater
mixture

20 through
passing

which
duct

through

duct
the

a location

40 at

36.

mill

By s e l e c t i v e l y
of

temperature

the

leaving

air

mixture

to c o n t r o l

applicant

heater

coal

of

mill

outlet

has

an

improved

provided

fuel-fired

78,

the

method of

to the

mill

for

firing

content
the

drying

oxide

nitrogen

the

oxygen

coal

pulverized

reduced

the

that

to the

pulverized

furnace

formation

of t h e
can be

by m i x i n g

flue

gas with air through an i n t e r g r a t e d c o n t r o l

s i m u l t a n e o u s l y e n s u r i n g i g n i t i o n s t a b i l i t y by

recirculated
system while
maintaining

yield

the

be a p p r e c i a t e d
wherein

furnace

supplied

and t r a n s p o r t i n g
to

damper

entering

temperature.

will

controlled

the

to

gases of the p r e h e a t e d gaseous m i x t u r e

20 may be tempered with an u n h e a t e d g a s e o u s
it

mixture

76 p r i o r

damper

positioning

Accordingly,
pulverized
gaseous

downstream

a safe

level

of oxygen

and air

in the

gaseous

mixture.
While
herein

the

understood
in t h a t
art

the

applicant

p r e f e r r e d embodient
t h a t such is merely

variations
of the

illustrated

of his

and d e s c r i b e d

invention,

illustrative

it

and not

is to

be

restrictive

and m o d i f i c a t i o n s

may be made t h e r e t o

spirit

has

invention

without

by t h o s e s k i l l e d in t h e
d e p a r t i n g from the scope and

as r e c i t e d

in the

claims apended

hereto.

In a steam

1.
fuel
the

a mill

naving

surface

heatinc

hot

the

of

path

said

traversing
disposed

downstream
for
it

vented

generator

leaving

steam

flue

funace

surface,

in the
the

cooling

flow

heat

whereby

is

flue

gas

collector

a particle

wherein

furnace

steam

gas,

furnace

gas t h e r e b y

heating

of the

the

wherein

entrained

particles

gas are removed t h e r e f r o m , and a fan d i s p o s e d

of said h e a t i n g s u r f a c e and said p a r t i c l e c o l l e c t o r

boosting
is

flue

downstream

flue

in t h e

downstream of the

from the

transfered

flue

disposed
gas
hot

a furnace

fuel,
hot

generating

pulverized

burning

the

pulverizing

burned t h e r e b y

is

fuel

for

for

generator

the

of the

pressure

to the

clean

cooled

flue

a method of f i r i n g

atmosphere,

before

gas
said

steam

comprising:
a.

b.

fuel

solid

feeding

mill

to the

for

at a c o n t r o l l e d

pulverizing

therein

r e s p o n s e to
generator;

load demand on the

steam

of the

cooled

recirculating
flue

a portion
said

leaving

gas

booster

in

rate

clean

fan to t h e

mill;
c.

ambient

mixing
flue

of

gaseous
feed

mixed with
maintain
mixture
2.
further

A method

comprising:

pulverized

in the

mill

in said
flue

gaseous
gas and a i r ;

rate

of s a i d

mill

fuel

to the

volume

flow

rate

of a i r

recirculated

flue

gas t o

the

the

gaseous

to the

of

the

the

volume flow

mixture
rate

recirculated

mill;

entrained

the

controlling

least

fuel

recirculated

control ting
the

into the

furnace

mixture

f.

the

the

into

introducing

thereof

conveying
to the

e.

before

gas

mixture
d.

air

oxygen

entering

the

level
mill

in r e s p o n s e

at

12% by v o l u m e .
of o p e r a t i o n as r e c i t e d

and

mill;

in said

to

gaseous

a level
in Claim

of a t
1

a.

the

measuring
mixture

of r e c i r c u l a t e d
the

entering
b.

the

recirculated
air

of

flue

volume

flue

flow

wherein
mill

the

oxygen

is m a i n t a i n e d

at

rate

of

volume

flow

other

in

oxygen measurement so as t o
oxygen level in said g a s e o u s

the

in s a i d

2
the

entering
15% by

of 12 to

range

of a t

in Claim

mixture

gaseous

in the

a level

at a level

as r e c i t e d

of o p e r a t i o n

level

and a i r

to each

respect

m i x t u r e e n t e r i n g the mill
l e a s t 12% by volume.
A method

gaseous

to said

response
maintain

3.

said

gas

and the

gas

with

of

and

mill;

controlling
rate

content

oxygen

volume.
4.
or 3 f u r t h e r

A method
comprising:
prior
a.

to

flue
said

separating

into

mixture

gaseous

in heat

flue

surface

thereby

portion

and f u r t h e r

said

preheating

mixture
the

measuring
mixture

the

controlling
preheated

first

of the

rate

prior

to

into

the

the

flue

introducing

portion

unpreheated

of the

to

control

mill

outlet

of s a i d
second
said

gaseous

and

flow

rate

and the
second

gaseous mixture with

other in r e s p o n s e to mill
said

gas;

mill;

mill;

volume

a first

first

the

cooling

temperature

leaving

mill,

gaseous

r e m i x i n g t h e preheated f i r s t portion
gaseous m i x t u r e with the u n p r e h e a t e d
gaseous

of

relationship with
steam h e a t i n g

exchange
leaving the

gas

the

into

mixture

portion thereof

e.

gas and air

1,2

mixture

gaseous

passing
the

d.

in Claims

and a second p o r t i o n ;
said f i r s t p o r t i o n o f s a i d

portion

c.

said

introducing

recirculated

b.

as r e c i t e d

of o p e r a t i o n

of t h e
volume

portion

flow
of

r e s p e c t to each
outlet temperature

temperature.