Numerical simulation of variable load combustion in a 600 MW supercritical pulverized coal boiler

In the context of the ongoing development of renewable energy sources, coal-fired units are undergoing a gradual transformation into auxiliary power sources. Consequently, there is an urgent need to enhance the deep-peaking capability of these units. The present paper investigates the combustion behavior of a pulverized coal boiler across four different operational scenarios of 360 MW, 300 MW, 240 MW, and 180 MW using CFD numerical simulation. The boiler in question is a 600 MW supercritical cyclone hedge boiler. The results demonstrate a decline in the aggregate temperature within the furnace chamber with a reduction in load, coal feed, and air supply. At 60%, 50%, 40%, and 30% of the rated load, the NOx concentrations at the furnace outlet are 481.56 ppm, 477.01 ppm, 472.32 ppm, and 469.63 ppm, respectively. With a decrease in the boiler load, a downward trend in the NOx concentrations at the furnace outlet is evident.