INTRODUCTION:-

Biomass is an important energy source. Biomass is any organic matter—wood, crops,

seaweed, stubble, animal wastes—that can be used as an energy source. Biomass is
probably our oldest source of energy after the sun. For thousands of years, people
have burned wood to heat their homes and cook their food. Biomass gets its energy
from the sun. All organic matter contains stored energy from the sun. Biomass is a
renewable energy source because its supplies are not limited. Stubble is the straw
type material that remains after grains, like paddy, wheat, etc., have been harvested.
Stubble burning is intentionally setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after
grains, like paddy, wheat, etc., have been harvested to clear agricultural residue that
is left on the land, to ready it for the next round of seeding. Stubble burning in fields
emits large amount of ash/soot/unburnt carbon to the atmosphere which is the real
cause of air pollution and elevates the PM 2.5 and PM 10 level in atmosphere. It is
learnt that farmers burn stubble as they find it as cheapest, quickest and easiest
means to prepare the land for next crop in view of short time available. Stubble
burning in fields also reduces soil fertility.

But, this stubble is a good biomass resource which has the potential to create
efficient biomass-to-energy chains. Torrefaction of biomass stubble, combined with
densification (Pelletisation or briquetting), is a promising step towards overcoming
the logistical challenges in developing large-scale sustainable energy solutions, by
making it easier to transport and store. Pellets or briquettes have higher density,
contain less moisture, and are more stable in storage than the biomass they are
derived from. When agro residue based fuel, in the form of pellets, utilized in coal
fired power plants, it burns completely in power plant and ash emitted from its
combustion gets absorbed in Electro Static Precipitator (ESP) which prevents the air
pollution while generating power from it.

As our Plant JPL-3400MW is running on coal. To reduce greenhouse gas emission

from our coal based power plant, JPL intends to utilize agro residue based
pellets/rice husk pellets along with coal for power generation through biomass co-
firing which is a technology recognized by UNFCCC to mitigate carbon emission. It is
worth mentioning that equivalent amount of CO2 (carbon-di-oxide) emitted from
combustion of agro residue based pellets/ torrefied pellets in power plant gets
absorbed in next crop cycle by photosynthesis, so CO2 emission from agro residue
based pellets combustion does not increase CO2 concentration in atmosphere and
thus it is also termed as carbon neutral fuel which is a renewable source of energy
Further, CO2 emission from diesel and electricity consumption for agro residue
collection, processing and transportation is very negligible as compared to saving in
CO2 emissions from its utilization in large coal fired power plants having higher
efficiency which makes biomass co-firing a greener alternative. In addition to
reducing carbon emission from coal based power plant, the utilization of agro
residue based pellets/ torrefied pellets in the power plant will also reduce air
pollution due to burning of stubble (i.e. paddy straw and other agro residues) in the
fields by farmers which was the trigger for this initiative by NTPC as a responsible
organization. Emissions of sulfur and mercury are reduced by the co firing
percentage.

GoI Policy:-
Ministry of Power on 17.11.2017 had issued policy regarding Biomass utilization for
power generation through co- firing in coal-based power plants. This was followed
by an advisory dated 24.11.2017 from CEA to all the TPPs to utilize Biomass pellets in
coal-based TPPs to the extent of 5-10%.

For 1 st year 5% and the obligation shall be increase to 7% with effect from two years
from date of issue of guideline i.e. 8 th October 2021.

Keeping the above in mind, on 23.02.2022, Jindal Power Limited Tamnar

Chhattisgarh, introduced biomass pellet co-firing in boiler of Phase-1 through Mill-D
of Unit-2.

(( Revised Policy for Biomass Utilisation for Power Generation through Co-firing in
Coal Based Power Plants(Dated-08 October 2021,by Government of India):-
All Coal based thermal power plants of power generation utilities with bowl mill,
shaal on annual basis mandatorily use 5 percent blend of biomass pellets made,
primarily, of agro residue along with coal with effect from one year of the date of
issue of this guideline. The obligation shall increase to 7 percent with effect from two
years after the date of issue of this order and thereafter.))

About Biomass Pellets:-

Pellet Sample Test Results

1. Moisture:-

2. Ash:-

3. VM:-

4. Fixed Carbon:-

5. GCV:-

Pre-Checks:
a) Closest to fuel supply facility in chain; biomass pellet (5%) co-firing is planned at
4X250MW in unit#2 (unit#1 COH unavailability).

b) Availability of biomass pellet and its sampling thereof

c) Storage facility; Stage-1 coal yard-3 demarcated area, biomass heap to be covered
with tarpaulin to avoid moisture ingress alongside 500MT of coal

d) Weighbridge facility; dumper weight measurement prior and after unloading.

e) Blending facility; biomass pellet blended with the different coal (PHIL) types within
the yard-3 by the help of Pay loader.

f) Conveying facility; mixed quantity will be conveyed through belt conveyor system
CONV-3A/3B to the unit#2 boiler bunkers.

g) Pulverizer facility; Mill-A readiness to be ensured for co-firing i.e. alarms,

interlocks and protections value(s) to be modified as per requirement (model SOP
provided).

h) Operational Facility; data log sheet to be ensured for trial stage.

i) Chemical analysis Facility; pellet arrival, blending, combustion and its reject
analysis log to be ensured.

Coal Blending SOP:-

a. Coal Blending by adding the biomass pellet at Stage-1 coal yard-3 and reclaiming
of blended coal with the help of Stacker Reclaimer-2.

b. Stacker Reclaimer-2 needs to be positioned at designated heap prior to start of

reclaiming.

c. No other coal from any point or source will be added during feeding of biomass
pellets mixed coal.

d. Feeding path; COAL From YARD-3 through SR2 BC-8 BC-9 BUNKER

BC-4A/4B BC-3A/3B BC-6 BC-5A

e. This process will be continued as per bunker level, and the level will be ensured by
Bunker operator.

f. Blended fuel to be fired with one pulveriser i.e. Mill-A else Mill B, C, D with pure
Indian coal.

g. After completion of conveying process, biomass heap has to be covered with

tarpaulin again.

h. Feeding quantity will be recorded with help of 3A/3B belt scale.

 525 MT Feeding Chart with 5% blending
Normal coal (PHILL) mixing at yard-3 for blending By Pyloader
500 MT coal 1 dumper (25T) Pellet

Co-fired fuel Feeding Quantity sheet

CONV-3A/3B CONV-3A/3B Belt Total Quantity Total

Belt Weigher Weigher final of Mix (Final- Quantity
Date Time
initial reading reading Initial) of pellet
(MT)

i. Bunker to be fed with blended fuel has to be monitored by an individual at

bunker floor and accordingly informed to SCE.
j. CONV-3A/3B belt Weigher totalizer initial and final reading need to be taken
prior and after feeding.
k. As per the instruction form control room SCE, Desk Engineer should operate
the unit in stable load for 2hrs. prior to the start co-firing.
l. All the operational data to be captured and logged for performance
calculation by O&E engineer.

m. Desk Engineer will look after the parameter as per the “PRE CO-FIRE CHECK
SHEET” and in case of any abnormality immediately report to the SCE.
n. Ash sample will be collected from the bottom of the clinker grinder in the
span of 4 hrs. from bottom ash.
o. Sample will be collected in every four hour from fly ash.
p. Pre start & post shutdown purging of mill must be done.
q. Fire tender and firefighting system to be kept ready in advance.

The following systems are to made ready before incorporating pellet

operation

a) The mill inerting system is charged up to the mill inlet. The valve provided at
mill inlet should be operable from UCR (either motorized or pneumatic) along
with the local pressure gauge after the valve.
b) Mill inerting system to be made ready for healthiness and availability steam
pressure 02-04 ksc must ensure.
c) All individual mill outlet pipes are to be provided with RTDs and the
temperature of coal pipes to be hooked up to CCR (to be ensured by C&I ).
d) Logic modifications as follows are required before starting the firing pellets in
the mills:
 1. Whenever Biomass Co-firing is in service, the following modifications should
be implied to the Mill operational logics: Mill temperature control by CAD
(cold air damper) of the mill to be shifted to Mill inlet temperature control as
per the Inlet temperature set point. Mill inlet temperature set point increase/
decrease button may be provided in the control interface.
2. Mill inlet temperature set point (upper limit bar) should be controlled in such
a way that operator cannot exceed the temperature value of 180 OC.
3. Mill HAG (hot air gate) shall close on protection if Mill inlet temperature
approaches 195 OC. Alarm for Mill inlet temperature to be provided at 185 OC.
4. Mill protection at mill outlet temperature 95 OC & 110OC will also remain
intact irrespective of Biomass pellet co-firing in service.
5. Alarm for mill outlet temperature >70OC to be provided.

Mill Operating Parameters and Operation Procedure :

1. Maintain Mill outlet temperature ≥ 55 OC

2. Mill inlet temperature should be ≤ 180 OC
3. Observe all coal conveying pipe temperature of Mills with blended fuel every
shift. In case of any deviation from the rest of the pipes (any abrupt rise or
fall), stop the mill and give PTW for inspection of coal pipes.
4. Periodic internal inspections of mills should be done during biomass co-firing
to observe any possible accumulation of biomass inside mills. This periodic
inspection may be carried out in shorter frequency say every 1 hour and
gradually it may be increased based on experience. This is vital aspect from
the safety point of view.

5. Pre-start and post-shutdown purging of the mill is mandatory. In case of Mill

Trip, the Mill must be emptied at the earliest to avoid fire in the mill.
6. Continuous monitoring of mill parameters to be done; most importantly mill
inlet air temperature (Mix Air Temperature), Mill outlet temperature, mill
current, and mill DPs.
7. Mill inlet temperature should not be more than 180oC in any case
8. Mill rejects system to be kept under observation(BMD).
9. Deployed Mill Operator must monitor for any kind of Fire in the rejects and
intimate the control room immediately in wake of fire hazard.
10. In case of fire, the mill should be tripped and steam inerting should be done
immediately by opening steam inerting valve, keeping watch on furnace
pressure. Fire tender may also be used if required.
11. View glass of Mill feeders should be periodically cleaned.
12. Illumination inside feeder shall be revived/ provided to keep track of biomass
and coal blend.

Monitoring of chemistry parameters of Biomass Pellets:

a. Sample collection:

1. Done from every truck arriving at the station.

 2. Sample collection is done from truck-top. The top 25 cm is
removed and then randomly samples are collected from 4-5 spots.

b. Sample Preparation:

1. The collected sample is brought immediately to the Chemistry lab

Premises and all portions collected are thoroughly mixed followed by
coning-quartering until the sample quantity reduces to approximately 3
kg.
2. This 3 kg sample is divided into 3 equal parts - one part for power plant
owner, one part for the seller, third part for referee purpose.
3. The Power Plant Owner part of the sample is to be made homogeneous
powder by mortar and pestle method. Moisture, ash and, GCV
determination are done with this sample

Handling, storage and blending of pellets:

a. The following steps are involved in handling

1 Receipt
2 Unloading
3 Storage
4 Feeding to Bunkers

b. Receipt and unloading:

1. The truck containing Biomass pellets enters plant premises

2. The vendor test report accompanied the lot shall be checked.
3. Sample collection and result at station end by chemistry
group.
4. Necessary arrangements for safe sample collection like
platforms etc., are to be ensured at the site.
5. Acceptance of the lot based on the result given by the
chemistry group.
6. After acceptance, the truck shall be weighed.
7. After weighment truck to be unloaded at designated unloading
point. Truck unloading mechanism: truck unloader should be
available at the site if more quantity of pellets is used for
blending.
8. The empty truck shall be weighed.
 9. After weighment empty truck to be released from plant
premises.
c. Storage:

1. Biomass pellets area for storage needs to be identified by the site.

This area should have firefighting facilities.
2. The volatile matter in biomass pellets is very high and can easily catch
fire. Hence continuous monitoring of the area needs to be done.
3. The pellet storage area should be different from the coal stockyard.
Facilities should be developed to transport the biomass pellets from the storage area
to the blending area.

DATA OF 5% FIRING:- LEARNING & CONCLUSION

System readiness:-
 Mill inerting system was charged up to the mill inlet and provided valve was
operational from UCR.

 All outlet coal pipes was provided with RTDs and temperature of coal pipes
was provided in DCS.

Operational Activities:-
500 MT mixed coal was fired in boiler. This mixture contains 475 MT coal and 25 T
bio-mass pellet.
Co-firing was started on 23.02.2022 through Mill-D at 15:20 Hrs.
Following operational parameters/activities were maintained during the co-firing:-
 Mill outlet temperature was maintained in between 60-65 0C.

 Mill inlet temperature was maintained below 1800C.

 All corner coal pipe temperature was kept under observation with help of IR
Gun.

 Mill reject, Bottom and Fly ash sample was kept under observation.

 All corner coal pipe temperature was kept under observation with help of IR
Gun.

Observation and findings:-

 As bio-mass pellet has high calorific value, thus significant improvement
shown in specific coal consumption. Average specific coal consumption on
23.02.2022 at part load 145 MW was 0.7724 T/MWH before co-firing and
0.7583 T/MWH after co-firing. Similarly average specific coal consumption at
full load 260 MW was 0.7509 T/MWH before co-firing and 0.7104 T/MWH
after co-firing.
 0.7724
0.78 0.7583
0.7509
0.76
0.74
0.7104
0.72
0.7
0.68
0.66
part load full load
coal firing

Load – 247 MW
CORNER-1 CORNER-2 CORNER-3 CORNER-4
Elevation 16.02.22 23.02.22 16.02.22 23.02.2 16.02.22 23.02.22 16.02.22 23.02.22
2
‘30’ M 1080 1107 1220 1120 1070 1109 1050 1170
AB 1060 1106 1110 1100 1100 1121 1130 977
CD 1160 1136 1120 1102 1120 1104 920 1060
EF 1180 1217 1100 1190 1000 1202 890 1065
‘17’ M 1030 1065 1010 1006 840 870 1000 1020
‘8.5’ M 850 904 900 906 800 780 810 800
 On 247 MW load furnace temperature at different elevation before soot
blowing was recorded after co-firing and compared with temperature
recorded on previous day at same load before soot blowing.

A report on Combustion Characteristics of Coal-Biomass Blend:-

MODIFICATIONS DONE :-
CONTROL & LOGIC MODIFICATION

………………………………………………………………………………………..TO BE FILLED