Reducing operating costs by expanding the operational load range of existing facilities

Mitsubishi Power enables continuous operation of coal-fired power plants in low-load conditions by lowering their minimum operating loads, thereby helping to achieve stabilization of the grid. With the growth in renewables, cases can be envisioned in which the demand for coal-fired power falls below the minimum operating load. Lowering the minimum operating load can not only enhance the regulating and reserve capabilities of coal-fired power as a regulated power supply, but it will also minimize the number of start-ups and shutdowns, contributing to reductions in operating costs.

FEATURES

Comprehensive study and proposal of optimized solutions in accordance with the required operation

Mitsubishi Power can propose plans with our knowledge of retrofitting many types of coal-fired power plant equipment, including boilers, steam turbines, and generators. Even if you do not have a clear plan for retrofits to lower loads, Mitsubishi Power can recommend optimized solutions based on both technical and economic evaluations including retrofitting costs and power generation output. Mitsubishi Power also conduct in-depth feasibility studies to create retrofitting plans flexibly in accordance with your required operations. Our support is a one-stop service ranging from design to on-site construction, covering not only plants supplied by Mitsubishi Power but also equipment from other manufacturers.

Coal firing plant system
 Coal firing plant system

Two types of high-performance burners provide combustion stability even at low loads

Burners with outstanding ignitability and flame stability serve as core technologies that provide stable combustion performance even when plants are operated at low loads. This ensures lowering in minimum operating load with various coal firing. Mitsubishi Power offers burner technologies for both circular corner firing and opposed firing models. With our extensive track record of implementing both retrofit and new installations in Japan and overseas, even customers who are not using Mitsubishi Power boilers can apply our burner technologies.

M-PM burner (left) and NR3 burner (right)
 M-PM burner (left) and NR3 burner (right)

Applying inverter control to existing pulverizer motor expands operational load range

Mitsubishi Power offers core technologies in pulverizer retrofitting for minimum loads that can realize flexible regulating capabilities in coal-fired power generation. For example, by making the rotation speed variable through applying inverter control to existing pulverizers (VVVF *1), the upper and lower limits of operational load can be expanded for each pulverizers.  This enables greater stability in operation at lower boiler loads.  What is more, the expansion of pulverizer operational loads leads to expansion of operating bands for each pulverizer without start-up or shutdown. This expands boiler operational range without switching the number of pulverizers, which in turn contributes to enhancements in operational flexibility. Mitsubishi Power has vertical pulverizer technologies for both MVM *2 and MPS *3 and can offer support for both types.  *1 Variable Voltage Variable Frequency / Same as VFD (Variable Frequency Drive)  *2 Mitsubishi Vertical Mill *3 Abbreviation for German words Muhle (pulverizer), Pendel (pendulum), and Schussel (bowl). 

Expand operation band by inverter control of mill motor
 Expand operation band by inverter control of mill motor

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