Coal-Oil Mixtures: An Alternative Fuel for the Commercial Sector. Annual Report, Fiscal Year 1981

摘要

Results are presented from a program aimed at identifying the hardware systems required for the implementation of coal-oil mixtures (COM) as a substitute boiler fuel in the commercial sector. Components for a COM burner system were evaluated both in a cold burner system test stand and a small cast iron boiler fitted with a modified retention head burner. Control valves, pumps, atomizers, and strainers were selected and combustion trials were conducted. Results are presented on thermal efficiency and particulate emissions. Agitation of a commercial sector fuel storage tank with a slurry recirculation system has been evaluated through model tank tests. The most successful arrangement tested was a set of six nozzles aimed across the tank floor. A fully settled slurry in the model tank has been resuspended in three hours and maintained at 98% suspension. Tests were also conducted in a 3800 liter (1000 gallon) vertical tank with a propeller agitator where it was shown that the slurry can be easily resuspended. In routine operation an agitator fractional on-time of about 10% may be adequate. An evaluation of the economics of conversion to COM in the commercial sector is presented. Conversion is currently attractive if a cyclone dust collector can be used for pollution control. (ERA citation 08:019627)