Assess Coal Quality Impacts on Your Personal Computer

In the past, utility companies that operate coal-fired boilers entered into long-term contracts with their coal suppliers to secure a steady supply of similar fuels for smooth, trouble-free, day-today operations. In today's environment long-term contracts might seem unappealing because utility strategists would rather be free to switch to different coals to lower costs or meet emissions regulations. Coal switching is often an important pan of compliance strategies that seek an optimal balance among technology upgrades, bubble-based emissions averages across several boilers, and open-market trading allowances. Although switching is now motivated by SO2 compliance, a new coal can affect many other operating characteristics, including pulverizer performance, heat rate, slagging and fouling, unburned carbon in ash, NOx emissions, and certainly cost. In light of the push for tighter NOx regulations before the turn of the century under Title I of the Clear Air Act Amendments, it is prudent for utilities to factor in the impact of a coal switch on NOx and unburned carbon emissions into their coal selection decisions.