Thermodynamic analysis of a novel solar-hybrid system for low-rank coal upgrading and power generation

Cheng Xu, Tuantuan Xin, Gang Xu, Xiaosa Li, Wenyi Liu and Yongping Yang

Energy, 2017, vol. 141, issue C, 1737-1749

Abstract: This work proposed and analyzed an integrated solar hybrid system for upgrading and utilization of low-rank coals using coal pre-drying, low-temperature pyrolysis and power generation, efficiently converting the low-rank coal into exportable value-added coal while generating electric power locally. The collected solar energy could be utilized in a cascade way to feed coal pre-drying and low-temperature pyrolysis. The low-energy density raw syngas discharged from the pyrolyzer is efficiently utilized by co-combusting with upgraded coal in the conjunct boiler and a large amount sensible heat of the upgraded coal is effectively recovered through pre-heating the condensate/feed water in the steam turbine unit. A case study for Zhundong lignite upgrading and utilization using the proposed system integrated with a typical 600 MW supercritical power plant was performed. The thermodynamic analysis results showed that, the overall energy and exergy efficiencies could reach 90.0% and 89.8%, respectively, with the product energy distribution ratio at 47.8 MJ/(kW h). The equivalent conversion efficiency of the coal upgrading process soars to 98.8% and the net solar-to-UGC efficiency reaches 49.4%. This proposed concept may provide a science and technology foundation for efficient utilization of the low-rank coal resources and a promising way to advance the solar energy utilization.

Keywords: Low-rank coal upgrading; Power generation; Solar energy; System synthesis; Thermodynamic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:141:y:2017:i:c:p:1737-1749

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.11.046

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