Prospective utilization of coals and coal cleaning wastes in the heat power industry of Ukraine

The analysis of the present-day fuel and energy balance of Ukraine reveals a dramatic lagging of the major energy carrier (coal) production behind the needs of the heat power industry. The gap is being closed owing to the process reserves of TPPs and the imported solid fuel. The National Energy Program that defines the development strategy of the fuel and energy complex of the country is focused at meeting the demands of the Ukrainian economy in the fullest possible measure with the help of its own energy carriers, coal being in the lead. A comparatively rapid advance in the coal output with the lowest investments can be brought about at the expense of brown coal, taking into account its rich reserves and the mining and engineering conditions that allow strip mining. The problems of high moisture and reactivity of brown coal can be addressed by formulation of CWF after its preliminary hydrothermal treatment using the HWD technique. This CWF is applicable for pipelining with minimal power consumption and long-term storage while retaining its properties as well as efficient and ecologically safe combustion in furnaces of industrial and power-generating boilers. Development of the technique and operating conditions of CWF production andmore » combustion in a pilot plant will allow to set up a full-scale heat power system. Another reserve of the solid energy carriers is coal cleaning wastes represented by high-ash slimes. The CWF produced from impounded fines and fresh slimes collected from fine coal cleaning circuits has proven to be promising for reburning in coal-fired boilers because it improves the burn-out of carbon and cuts the amount of noxious substances in flue gases. Expansion of brown coal applications and utilization of coal cleaning wastes will have a positive effect on stabilization of the fuel and energy balance of Ukraine.« less