What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to assess how different ammonia co-firing ratios affect combustion performance and emissions in a pulverized coal combustor.

March 25, 2026

Effects of NH 3 co‐firing ratios on performance of a 500 MW e pulverized coal combustor using a compartment model

Key Points

The research aims to assess how different ammonia co-firing ratios affect combustion performance and emissions in a pulverized coal combustor.
Developed a 1D compartment model with 21 continuous stirred tank reactors.
Evaluated ammonia co-firing ratios from 0% to 30% with bituminous coal and Ninh Binh anthracite.
Implemented 341 reactions in the model, focusing on nitrogen-related reactions.
NOx emissions remained stable at 10% NH3 co-firing but increased significantly at 30%.
CO2 emissions reduced by approximately 28% for both bituminous coal and anthracite.
The pathway for NOx formation highlighted the complexity in ammonia's impact on emissions.

Abstract

Abstract This study developed a 1D compartment model with 21 continuous stirred tank reactors to evaluate NH 3 co‐firing (0%–30%) with bituminous coal (BC) and Ninh Binh anthracite (NB) in a 500 MWe pulverized coal (PC) combustor, advancing low‐emission power generation for using Vietnam's coal resources. The model employs 341 reactions, including 117 nitrogen‐related, and accurately predicts combustion performance and emissions. Without NH 3 co‐firing, BC and NB show comparable combustion, with NB's higher fixed carbon (61.8 wt.% vs. 54.7 wt.%) driving faster heat release. At 10% NH 3 , NO x emissions remain stable (123.6–126.5 ppm vs. 122.3–125.5 ppm at 0%), the pathway favouring N 2 O conversion to N 2 . At 30% NH 3 , NO x increases significantly (639.8 ppm for BC, 565.7 ppm for NB) due to the NH 3 ➔ NH 2 ➔ HNO ➔ NO pathway, amplified by the BC's higher volatile matter (29.5 wt.% vs. 13.3 wt.%). CO 2 emissions decrease by 28.2% for BC and 28.0% for NB, leveraged by NH 3 's carbon‐free nature. However, increased NO x emissions at 30% NH 3 indicate trade‐offs which require further investigation. This model can be used for evaluating NH 3 co‐firing ratios in industrial‐scale combustors, balancing NO x control and CO 2 reduction while elucidating emission formation pathways.

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Cite This Study

Ngo et al. (Mon,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69c37bb3b34aaaeb1a67e5ac https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/cjce.70361

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