Environmental advantages of composite fuels based on industrial wastes and different ranks of coal

National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Tomsk, 634050, Russia

^* Corresponding author: gsn1@tpu.ru

Abstract

Thermal power plants and boiler units generate most of the anthropogenic emissions around the world. A promising solution to many problems that heat and power industry is facing today would be switching from conventional coal dust combustion to composite liquid fuels (CLF). These are also known as coal-water slurries containing petrochemicals (CWSP). Here, we perform an experimental study of the most hazardous anthropogenic emissions (sulfur and nitrogen oxides) from the combustion of high-potential CWSP. We identify the main benefits and potential drawbacks of using CWSP in heat and power industry. A set of components and additives to CWSP are explored that significantly affect the environmental and energy performance of fuels. The anthropogenic emissions from the combustion of CWSP made of widespread coal and oil processing wastes are no higher than those from coal dust combustion. Using specialized additives to CWSP, we can change the concentrations of NO_x and SO_x several times. The most appealing additives to CWSP are sawdust, straw, charcoal, limestone, and glycerol.