Grate-fired Combustor (Stoker)
The University of Utah, in association with Detroit Stoker Company, designed, built, and is operating a 300 kW (1 MMBtu/hr) pilot-scale spreader stoker fired combustor. Over-fire air (OFA) distribution, grate air/OFA distribution, natural gas co-firing, and other combustion parameters can be varied to obtain optimal firing conditions to burn fuels in an economical and environmentally sound manner.
Specifications
- Combustion chamber dimensions - 0.75m x 0.75m x 15m long
- Wood firing rate - 300 kW (1 MMBtu/hr, 0.75 MMBtu/hr on coal)
- 25cm (10 in) refractory-lined walls
- Maximum hot face temperature is 1430°C
Research
- Optimization of combustion conditions (pollutant emissions, deposition, combustion efficiency) for coal and various biomass fuels, including wood chips, sawdust, biosludge, bagasse, cane waste, dried distiller grains, palm kernels
- Deposition studies
- Sulfur capture
Capabilities
- Tight control of grate heat-release rate and volumetric heat-release rate, with residence time approximating that of a full-scale industrial boiler
- Continuous emissions monitoring equipment for real time measurement of O2, CO2, CO, NOx, and THC emissions, with other species-based measurements available upon request
- Detailed particulate measurement, including ultra-fine particles
