The effect of wood fuels on power plant availability

The objective of this research was to determine critical properties of wood fuels in respect of power plant availability, to determine the optimal conditions for reducing detriments, and to study the effect of storing and processing of wood fuels on the boiler operation. Both, the circulating (CFB) and bubbling (BFB) fludized bed technologies were studied. The project started in December 2000 and it was ended in March 2003. Experts at VTT Processes carried out the ma-jority of the research activities. System Technology Laboratory of Oulu Univer-sity was responsible for the power plant automation and for the research on boiler control technology. Co-operation related to the analytics of heat transfer surface deposition and corrosion with the EU's JRC has continued as established in the Combustion of Forest Chips -project but mainly in a so-called "CORBI"-EU-project. Additionally, VTT co-operated with Swedish Värmeforsk Ab in the form of information exchange on experiences of wood fuel utilisation in Swed-ish power plants. The following companies participated in the project: Etelä-Savon Energia Oy, Foster Wheeler Energia Oy, Kvaerner Pulping Oy, Simpele pasteboard factory of M-Real Oyj and Värmeforsk Ab (Sweden)