Study on Combustion Characteristics and NOX Emissions of a 600 MW Opposed Wall-Fired Boiler Under Deep Peak Shaving

Abstract

In the context of the new power system, coal-fired units are transitioning into peaking units. This study investigates the combustion characteristics and NOX emissions of a 600 MW opposed wall-fired boiler within a load range of 50% to 20%, and further analyzes the impact of burner operation modes on boiler performance at the 20% ultra-low load. The results indicate that as the boiler load decreases from 50% to 20%, the average temperature in the primary combustion zone drops from 1634.3 K to 1457.0 K, and the ignition distance extends from 0.228 m to 0.260 m, leading to a significant decline in combustion stability. Notably, at the 20% ultra-low load, although the drop in temperature suppresses the formation of thermal NOX, the flow short-circuiting caused by the shrinking of the recirculation zone results in pulverized coal particles missing the optimal reduction window; the formation pathway dominated by fuel NOX causes the NOX concentration at the furnace outlet to surge to 670.6 mg/m3. Furthermore, the burner operation modes significantly influence boiler performance at the 20% ultra-low load. While ensuring combustion stability, operating the lower-tier burners effectively reduces NOX emissions by up to 21.6%. Considering both combustion stability and NOX emissions, prioritizing the operation of lower-tier burners is recommended. This study reveals the underlying mechanisms behind the surge in NOX concentrations at ultra-low loads of 20% and proposes optimal burner operation strategies, providing a theoretical foundation for the clean and stable operation of boilers during deep peak shaving.