Transformation of existing power plants – a paradigm shift towards higher plant efficiencies and full fuel flexibility

Research Project, 2019 – 2020

The main goal of the proposed project is through a multidisciplinary and gender-balanced team of scientists (Pavleta Knutsson (main project leader), Fang Liu, Fredrik Lind and Jesper Liske) to bring the
recently developed by Chalmers researchers concept of oxygen carrier aided combustion (OCAC) to a frontline level internationally (both scientific and industrial). The proposed team of Chalmers
researchers has been chosen with the aim: 1) to form a new research area within Chalmers through building an advanced interdisciplinary research network with unique collaborations: novel approach where complex material analysis, combustion chemistry and process technology meet; 2) to internationalize research field founded by Chalmers through new type of networking - attracting
international guest researchers from different fields to a unique research area where Chalmers is the pioneer; 3) to reach scientific excellence through publications in high-ranked journals and
presentations in internationally recognized forums – presentation and publication of different aspects of the concept that will make it recognized and visible for different scientific communities. The
planned work has the potential to revolutionize the heat and power industry as it will combine and test multiple established concepts, developed within Chalmers, into one fundamental methodology
that aims to reach a significantly more resource-efficient use of supplied fuel, higher electricity efficiency of existing units, lowered environmental impact and reduced operating and maintenance
costs for plant management. The OCAC concept has been founded and commercialized by researchers in Chalmers (with Fredrik Lind being one of the founders of the concept and Pavleta Knutsson being
one of the researchers involved in the concept from early beginning) and aims to facilitate the transition of existing power plants, using fluidized bed technology, into highly fuel flexible plants with
improved overall performance as well as decreased corrosion rates. The foremost goal of the concept is to increase the plant efficiency without the need of changing the infrastructure and without loss in
online operation time.