Research Focus

Power plant/steam generator and firing technology

Power Generation, Steam Generator and Fuel Technology

Introduction

In this department we concentrate on analysis, simulation and optimization of conventional power plants and thermochemical conversation plants. The corresponding fuel spectrum reaches from conventional lignite and coal as well as replacement fuels to renewable bio mass and biogenic byproducts.

Our working fields cover material and energetic balancing, thermodynamical and operational assessment as well as simulation of processes in power plants. The scale reaches from major power plants to smaller, biomass-based facilities or cogeneration units. Within the scope of process analysis and simulation we use statistical methods and mathematical algorithms besides thermodynamic and thermohydraulic models.

In addition to the detailed analysis and evaluation of a wide variety of fuels with regard to their application behavior, our investigations also focus on the complication analysis and condition monitoring of the energy plants that convert these fuels. In combustion plants, for example, slagging and fouling of heating surfaces and heat transfer but also pollutant emissions and corrosion of heating surfaces have to be analyzed. 

In order to be able to investigate the energy conversion processes and the associated equipment in the laboratory, we have a large number of test rigs, e.g. various incineration and drying plants and a complete small cogeneration plant. These are equipped with comprehensive measurement technology, which enables us to record the phenomena under investigation in detail.

A system of radiometric temperature measurement has been developed in the department for the monitoring and operational management of steam generator furnaces.

 

Focus Areas

Process diagnosis and operational optimisation in power plant technology

  • Operation management of power plant systems, steam generators and thermochemical conversion facilities
  • Thermodynamic and operational assessment of power plant cycles and complex thermotechnical processes
  • Dynamics of power generation systems

Complication analysis and condition monitoring of furnace systems 

  • Slagging/fouling of steam generator surfaces
  • heat transfer
  • pollutant emission
  • ignition and combustion behavior
  • dry-milling in fan mills

Modeling and simulation

  • Stationäre und fluiddynamische Simulation energietechnischer Anlagen
  • stationary and fluid-dynamical simulation of power generation systems
  • Differentialgleichungssysteme und thermodynamische Gleichgewichtsberechnungen
  • differential equation systems and thermodynamic balance calculations
  • power and material flow balancing

Data analysis, modeling and optimisation of energy conversion processes

  • statistical methods
  • cluster analysis
  • artificial neural networks
  • genetic algorithms

Assessment of combustion behavior of fuels

  • lignite and coal
  • renewable fuels
  • substitute fuels

High-temperature measurement methods for fuels

  • monitoring and operational management of steam generator furnaces using radiometric temperature measurment

 

head of department

Photo: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Tobias Zschunke
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.
Tobias Zschunke
Institute of Process Engineering, Process Automation and Metrology
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 8
Building Z IVc, Room C1.01
Upper floor
+49 3583 612-4843

Presentation

In this specialist area, we focus on the analysis, simulation and optimization of conventional power plants and thermochemical conversion plants. The associated fuel spectrum ranges from conventional fuels such as lignite and hard coal as well as substitute fuels to renewable energy biomass and biogenic by-products.  
 
Our fields of work include material and energy balancing, thermodynamic and operational evaluation as well as the simulation of processes in power plants. The scale ranges from large power plants to small-scale, biomass-based power plants or combined heat and power plants. In addition to thermodynamic and thermohydraulic models, we also use statistical methods and mathematical algorithms for process analysis and simulation. 
 
In addition to the detailed analysis and evaluation of various fuels with regard to their operational behavior, our investigations also focus on the complication analysis and condition monitoring of the energy systems that use these fuels. In combustion plants, for example, slagging and fouling of heating surfaces and heat transfer as well as pollutant emissions and corrosion of heating surfaces must be analyzed. 
 
In order to be able to examine the energy conversion processes and the associated systems in the laboratory, we have a large number of test rigs, e.g. various combustion and drying systems and a complete small combined heat and power plant. These are equipped with comprehensive measurement technology that enables us to record the phenomena under investigation in detail.
 
The department has developed a radiometric temperature measurement system for monitoring and operating steam generator firing systems.

Focal points

Process diagnostics/operation optimization in power plant technology

  • Operational management of power plant systems, steam generators and thermochemical conversion plants
  • Thermodynamic and operational evaluation of power plant cycle processes and complex thermal engineering processes
  • Dynamic behavior of energy technology systems

 Complication analysis and condition monitoring for firing systems

  • Slagging/fouling of steam generator heating surfaces
  • Heat transfer
  • Pollutant emission
  • Ignition and combustion behavior
  • Grinding drying in fan mills 

Modeling and simulation

  • Stationary and fluid dynamic simulation of energy technology systems
  • Differential equation systems and thermodynamic equilibrium calculations
  • Energy and material flow balancing

Data analysis, modelling and optimization of energy-converting processes

  • Statistical methods
  • Cluster analysis 
  • Artificial neural networks
  • Genetic algorithms 

Evaluation of the combustion behavior of fuels

  • Lignite and hard coal
  • Biofuels
  • Substitute fuels

High-temperature measurement methods for fuels 

  • Monitoring and operational management of steam generator firing systems with radiometric temperature measurement

Head of department

Photo: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Tobias Zschunke
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil.
Tobias Zschunke
Institute of Process Engineering, Process Automation and Metrology
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 8
Building Z IVc, Room C1.01
Upper floor
+49 3583 612-4843