Minimising the Total Cost of Ownership of Large-Scale Flue Gas Treatment Plants in The Renewable Energy Sector

691c3de8-01e4-44cf-b870-e6d303ccc8f8

Closed

EPSRC
NERC
NERC
NERC
NERC

No funds listed.

Sept. 30, 2018

Dec. 31, 2022

Pulse jet fabric filtration is a common method of flue gas treatment within the renewable energy sector. This process can efficiently separate out solid particulate matter from the flue gas stream, thus reducing the amount that enters the environment. The fabric used varies depending on the specific parameters and ash characteristics of the process. Therefore, when selecting the type of fabric for the process, it is key that the parameters and characteristics are considered in order for the fabric to have as long a lifespan as possible.
Over time, mechanical and chemical deformation will take place on the fabric, which is caused by the solid particulate matter blocking pores and either depositing internally/externally on the fabric and the flow characteristics of both the filtration and cleaning cycle. The deformation that takes place will ultimately change the efficiency of the filtration process. Overall, the decrease in efficiency is caused by the structural changes caused by deformation mechanism. Over time, the pores within the fabric increase in size, which can allow more solid particulate matter to transition through the fabric.
The aim of this work is to assess the variation in pore structure of the fabric used for pulse jet filtration as a function of time in service along the vertical axis of the vertical axis. The fabric is processed into a bag like structure, where the vertical axis can be as high as 3m. Samples are to be taken at specific locations and vertical axis of the bag, and in specific regions of the filtration unit, conforming to Draft BS ISO 22031 (DPC: 19/30363853 DC).
All samples are to be analysed conforming to their respective British Standard, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX) to examine both the pore size distribution, and deposition ate. Furthermore, this allows for the analysis of particle size along the vertical axis of the bag. This is important due to the current theory that natural separation of the solid particulate matter occurs across the vertical axis of the bag. Namely, that as the height of the vertical axis increases, the average particle diameter decreases.
From this work, an up to date economic model will be constructed with a standard guided user interface implemented. This model will allow a user to assess economics pertaining to: their current set up, variation within the process, media variation, implication of uniformity. The model will also be able to generate a report highlighting the key aspects of the costs, and suggesting potential ways in which optimization can occur. Integrated within the model, will be the results from numerous SEM-EDX scans. Initially, this section of the model will be limited to the samples acquired as part of the project. However, when more results are obtained they can be added to the model. These results will allow the user to quickly visualise what could be happening within their unit, if the conditions and material selection are similar.
Overall, cost reduction of the process requires a deeper understanding of the way in which the filtration media acts within the pulse jet filtration unit. Location, media selection, solid particulate matter characteristics, and process variations are important aspects of the filtration process and all contribute to the fluctuation in process costs. Considering these points throughout the design stage will allow for the most efficient and economic design.

Potential Impact:
The strategic vision is to develop a world-leading Centre for Industrial Doctoral Training focussed on delivering research leaders and next generation innovators with broad economic, societal and contextual awareness, having strong technical skills and the capability of operating in multi-disciplinary teams covering a range of knowledge transfer, deployment and policy roles.
The immediate beneficiaries of our activities will be the students we train and their sponsoring companies. These students are expected to progress to research/development careers in industry or academia and be future leaders. They will be able to contribute to stimulating UK-based industry into developing the next generation of technologies to reduce CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels and ultimately improve the UK's position in the global economy through increased jobs and exports.

Other beneficiaries include the industrial and academic partners of the CDT, the broader scientific and industrial carbon capture and storage and cleaner fossil energy communities, skills base and society in general. The key application areas addressed by the CDT will impact on the major technical challenges in the sector over the next 10-20 years as identified by our industrial partners:
(i) Implementing new, more flexible and efficient fossil fuel power plant to meet peak demand as recognised by electricity market reform incentives in the Energy Bill.
(ii) Deployment of CCS at commercial scale for near zero emission power plant and development of cost reduction technologies
(iii) Maximising the potential of unconventional gas, including shale gas and underground coal gasification.
(iv) Development of technologies for vastly reduced CO2 emissions in other industrial sectors: iron and steel making, cement, refineries, domestic fuels and small scale diesel power generators.
These areas also cover biomass firing in conventional plant defined in the Bioenergy Priority Area where specific issues concern erosion, corrosion, slagging, fouling and the overall supply chain economics.

Technically, the students we train will graduate with specialised knowledge in CCS and cleaner fossil energy. This will be underpinned by a broad technical knowledge of the sector and a wider appreciation of the role carbon capture and storage and cleaner fossil energy can play in the UK and internationally. We will also support development of their professional skills including developing their creative thinking skills providing them with a solid foundation to rapidly progress to become the future leaders of innovation and growth in UK industry and academia.

In the short-term, the trained reseachers will apply their knowledge and skills to underpin applications-led activities at the partnering industrial organisations and participate in further academic-industry collaborations. In the longer term, they will progress to lead in the integration of dramatically enhanced carbon capture and storage and cleaner fossil energy technologies that will be of direct benefit across the UK fossil fuel industry and supply chain, leading directly to wealth creation with job protection and growth.
A company sponsoring a student will help define the research they undertake and will be of direct interest to the company. Further, the company will have had long term access to a potential employee. Timely application of the technologies developed will enable and accelerate the development and adoption of CCS and cleaner fossil energy knowledge bringing environmental benefits to the UK and internationally.

The publicity generated by the project will raise public awareness of the role of CCS and cleaner fossil energy igenerally in society. Ultimately the broader benefits to society will include improvements to the quality of life derived from the improved efficiency, flexibility and reliability of the technologies.