Thermal Power Plants: Modeling, Control, and Efficiency Improvement explains how to solve highly complex industry problems regarding identification, control, and optimization through integrating conventional technologies, such as modern control technology, computational intelligence-based multiobjective identification and optimization, distributed computing, and cloud computing with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technology. Introducing innovative methods utilized in industrial applications, explored in scientific research, and taught at leading academic universities, this book: Discusses thermal power plant processes and process modeling, energy conservation, performance audits, efficiency improvement modeling, and efficiency optimization supported by high-performance computing integrated with cloud computing Shows how to simulate fossil fuel power plant real-time processes, including boiler, turbine, and generator systems Provides downloadable source codes for use in CORBA C++, MATLAB®, Simulink®, VisSim, Comsol, ANSYS, and ANSYS Fluent modeling software Although the projects in the text focus on industry automation in electrical power engineering, the methods can be applied in other industries, such as concrete and steel production for real-time process identification, control, and optimization.

Thermal power plants are one of the most important process industries for engineering professionals. Over the past decades, the power sector is facing a number of critical issues; however, the most fundamental challenge is meeting the growing power demand in sustainable and efficient ways. Practicing power plant engineers not only look after operation and maintenance of the plant, but, also look after range of activities including research and development, starting from power generation to environmental aspects of power plants. The book Thermal Power Plants - Advanced Applications introduces analysis of plant performance, energy efficiency, combustion, heat transfer, renewable power generation, catalytic reduction of dissolved oxygen and environmental aspects of combustion residues. This book addresses issues related to both coal fired and steam power plants. The book is suitable for both undergraduate and research higher degree students, and of course for practicing power plant engineers.

This book presents the evolution toward advanced coal-fired power plants. Advanced power plants with an efficiency level of 45% are today commercially available and even more efficient plants are in their development phase. Considering that presently many pulverized coal-fired power plants operate with an efficiency of about 32%, an improvement of more than 40% specific coal consumption and CO2 discharge can be achieved. Before trying to apply as a secondary measure the use of carbon sequestration, it seems that this 40% specific CO2 discharge reduction as a primary measure can much easier be achieved. The effect of power generation on the environment can be drastically improved by the use of flue gas cleanup systems in advanced pulverized coal-fired power plants (SO2 emission reduction from 40 to 1.4 lb/MWh and NOx emission reduction from 7.5 to 0.64 lb/MWh). With an increased number of coal-fired plants, CO2 discharge and emissions can be reduced, even with an increase of electric power generation in the US by 38% over the next 20 years. Even though the book concentrates on pulverized coal-fired power plants, it also discusses and compares other options like fluidized-bed combustion and coal gasification.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was given a mandate in the 1992 Energy Policy Act (EPACT) to pursue strategies in coal technology that promote a more competitive economy, a cleaner environment, and increased energy security. Coal evaluates DOE's performance and recommends priorities in updating its coal program and responding to EPACT. This volume provides a picture of likely future coal use and associated technology requirements through the year 2040. Based on near-, mid-, and long-term scenarios, the committee presents a framework for DOE to use in identifying R&D strategies and in making detailed assessments of specific programs. Coal offers an overview of coal-related programs and recent budget trends and explores principal issues in future U.S. and foreign coal use. The volume evaluates DOE Fossil Energy R&D programs in such key areas as electric power generation and conversion of coal to clean fuels. Coal will be important to energy policymakers, executives in the power industry and related trade associations, environmental organizations, and researchers.

Coal will continue to provide a major portion of energy requirements in the United States for at least the next several decades. It is imperative that accurate information describing the amount, location, and quality of the coal resources and reserves be available to fulfill energy needs. It is also important that the United States extract its coal resources efficiently, safely, and in an environmentally responsible manner. A renewed focus on federal support for coal-related research, coordinated across agencies and with the active participation of the states and industrial sector, is a critical element for each of these requirements. Coal focuses on the research and development needs and priorities in the areas of coal resource and reserve assessments, coal mining and processing, transportation of coal and coal products, and coal utilization.

In October 2003, a group of experts met in Beijing under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, and National Academy of Engineering (NAE)/National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academies to continue a dialogue and eventually chart a rational course of energy use in China. This collection of papers is intended to introduce the reader to the complicated problems of urban air pollution and energy choices in China.

The continued use of coal as a means of generating electricity and an increasing demand for cleaner, more efficient energy production has led to advances in power plant technology. Ultra-supercritical coal power plants reviews the engineering, operation, materials and performance of ultra-supercritical coal power plants.Following a chapter introducing advanced and ultra-supercritical coal power plants, part one goes on to explore the operating environments, materials and engineering of ultra-supercritical coal power plants. Chapters discuss the impacts of steam conditions on plant materials and operation, fuel considerations and burner design, and materials and design for boilers working under supercritical steam conditions. Chapters in part two focus on improving ultra-supercritical coal power plant performance and operability. Ash fouling, deposition and slagging in ultra-supercritical coal power plants are highlighted along with pollution control measures and the estimation, management and extension of the life of ultra-supercritical power plants. Further chapters provide an economic and engineering analysis of a 700°C advanced ultra-supercritical pulverised coal power plant and discuss CO2 capture-ready ultra-supercritical coal power plants.Ultra-supercritical coal power plants is a comprehensive technical reference for power plant operators and engineers, high-temperature materials scientists, professionals in the power industry who require an understanding of ultra-supercritical coal power plants and researchers and academics interested in the field. - Provides a comprehensive reference on the developments, materials, design and operation of ultra-supercritical power plant - Considers the degradation issues affecting this type of plant, as well as emissions control and CO2 capture technology; improved plant controls critical to improved operation and environmental performance - Contains operational assessments for plant safety, plant life management, and plant economics