Using Real-time Coal Analysis to Improve Combustion at the Monroe Power Plant of DTE Energy

摘要

Monroe Power Plant, a ～3000 MWe+ coal-fired generating station consisting of four units has developed a program combining an on-line coal analyzer with an extensive digital fuel tracking system in order to improve combustion conditions in all four units. The analyzer is used to give operators real-time information concerning the coal that they are burning. The analyzer provides operators and engineers with a full proximate analysis, higher heating value, and major elements of ash chemistry. Further, because of the extensive information, the analyzer provides operators and engineers with information concerning performance ratios and indicators. The digital fuel tracking system provides information to operators and engineers concerning the fuel being burned at any given time plus fuel that will enter the pulverizers and burners within the next several hours. Additional testing documented the rate of blend flow through silos in order to ensure that operators know when a given blend is being fired. Extensive training has been employed such that the operators and engineers understand the data being provided to them. The training further documents the ability of Monroe Power Plant to use the on-line analyzer to adjust the fuel blend based upon performance parameters. This paper describes the program focusing on the key elements, their integration, and the results obtained to date.