Performance Evaluation of a Novel Thermal Power Plant Process with Low-Temperature Selective Catalytic Reduction

Abstract

We present the concept of a novel thermal power plant process in conjunction with low-temperature selective catalytic reduction (SCR). This process can be employed to achieve modern standards for NOx emissions and solve problems related to post-gas cleaning processes, such as thermal fatigue, catalyst damage, and an increase in differential pressure in the boiler. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the performance of a novel flue-gas cleaning process for use in a thermal power plant, where a low-temperature SCR is implemented, along with the existing SCR. We developed a process model for a large-scale power plant, in which the thermal power plant was divided into a series of heat exchanger block models. The mass and energy balances were solved by considering the heat transfer interaction between the hot and cold sides to obtain the properties of each material flow. Using the process model, we performed a simulation of the new process. New optimal operating conditions were derived, and the effects that the new facilities have on the existing process were evaluated. The results show that the new process is feasible in terms of operating stability and cost, as well as showing an increase in the boiler thermal efficiency of up to 1.3%.