IEA FBC - Fluidized Bed Conversion

Fluidised bed for good heat transfer

Fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas are limited worldwide and their combustion has climate-harming consequences. This is why all around the globe, more and more power is being generated from alternative energy sources. This includes not only wind or sun but also biomass. Biomass is usually burned in power plants in the so-called fluidised bed process. With this method, the incoming combustion air or the resulting flue gas flow around the fuel particles. The flow forces involved "carry" the fuel particles. This creates a fluidised bed in which there is close contact between the fluidised biomass particles and the gas. The result is good heat transfer inside the boiler, but also between the fluidised bed and the container wall or the built-in heat exchangers. Another advantage: The temperature in the boiler remains relatively constant. This means that fewer pollutants arise during the combustion process compared to other methods.