This report describes the work performed between October 1 and December 31, 1996 by the ABB team on U.S. Department of Energy project ''Engineering Development of Advanced Coal-Fired Low-Emission Boiler Systems'' (LEBS), which is part of the DOE's Combustion 2000 Program. The overall objective of the LEBS Project is to dramatically improve environmental performance of future coal-fired power plants without adversely impacting efficiency or the cost of electricity. Near-term technologies, i.e., advanced technologies that are partially developed, will be used to reduce NO(subscript x) and SO2 emission to one-sixth current NSPS limits and particulates to one- third current NSPS limits.

The Pittsburgh Energy Technology center of the US Department of Energy (DOE) has contracted with Combustion Engineering; Inc. (ABB CE) to perform work on the {open_quotes}Engineering Development of Advanced Coal-Fired Low-Emission Boiler Systems{close_quote} Project and has authorized ABB CE to complete Phase I on a cost-reimbursable basis and Phases II and III on a cost-share basis.

The goal of the NO(subscript x) Subsystem is to achieve continuous operation of the Low-Emissions Boiler System (LEBS) at NO(subscript x) emissions at or below 0.20 lb/MBtu through combustion techniques only, with a further target of 0.1 lb NO(subscript x)MBtu using supplementary advanced flue gas cleanup technologies if necessary. These goals places practical constraints that must be considered on the NO(subscript x) Subsystem design. Not only must the boiler be designed to achieve time-temperature mixing histories that minimize NO(subscript x), but it must also be designed to operate that way throughout its working lifetime. Therefore, NO(subscript x) minimization strategies must be integrated into the control systems for every boiler component from the pulverizers to the stack. Furthermore, these goals must be met without increases in carbon loss and CO emissions from the levels achieved with current low-NO(subscript x) combustion systems. Therefore, the NO(subscript x) Subsystem requires not only sound mechanical designs of burners, furnace surface, and staging air/fuel injectors, but also sensors and software to allow control of their operation. Through engineering analysis, experimental testing, and numerical modeling in Phase II, an advanced low-NO(subscript x) control system is being developed. The progress of these activities is presented in this report.

Of activities and key accomplishments are presented for the following tasks: NO(subscript x) subsystem; SO2 particulate/air toxics/solid by-product subsystem; boiler subsystem; balance of plant subsystem; and control and sensors subsystem. Combustion cases completed for the DRB-XCL{reg_sign} burner and the initial DRB-4Z{trademark} configuration were compared with measured furnace exit data and observed flame characteristics from the initial round of Subsystem Testing to baseline the models prior to parametric runs. A series of combustion models have been completed for the DRB-4Z{trademark} to evaluate the distributed introduction of secondary combustion air into the flame and key hardware components planned for the May Subsystem Testing campaign. On the basis of the results compiled during the concept selection process completed in Phase I, the Limestone Injection Dry Scrubbers (LIDS) process was selected for further development and evaluation. Through engineering analysis, experimental testing, and numerical modeling, a LIDS process is being developed that is capable of ultra-high SO2 removal and superior particulate control while addressing the potential issues of air toxic emissions and solid byproduct utilization. The progress of the LIDS activities is discussed in this report.

Work continued as planned and scheduled. Total expenditures are below budget. Task 2 is complete. Task 3 is complete except for R, D & T Plan -- Phase II. Task 4 is currently slightly behind schedule but is projected to finish on or ahead of schedule. Task 5 was started early. The following major deliverables were issued: (1) Technical Paper for '93 International Joint Power Generation Conference. (2) Technical Paper for IEA Second International Conference, and (3) Topical Report by EAR on Air Toxics. Subtask 4.1 -- Engineering Analysis in support of the CGU design is nearly complete and partial design specifications are being employed in Task 5. Subtask 4.2 -- Experimental Research efforts consisted of the first series of Drop Tube Furnace tests. Data is being analyzed. Subtask 4.3 -- Modeling work to data resulted in input files for Boiler Simulation Facility and flow pattern convergence was attained. Particle combustion is the next step. This work will be reported on at the next Quarterly Project Review meeting. Task 5 was started early to facilitate Task 6 schedule and quality. Integration of the SNO(subscript x) Hot Scheme into the boiler and turbine/feedwater train was optimized and design work on the boiler and ''backend'' is underway. Cost estimating assumptions and methodology were discussed at length and finalized. The RAM analysis is nearly complete. BOP engineering is in progress. No changes to the Work Plan are anticipated for the next quarter.