Pulverized coal-fired boiler

A pulverized coal-fired boiler is an industrial or utility boiler that generates thermal energy by burning pulverized coal (also known as powdered coal or coal dust). This type of boiler dominates the electric power industry, providing steam to drive large turbines. Pulverized coal provides the thermal energy which produces about 50% of the world's electric supply.

Examples

The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company, later Wisconsin Electric, conducted tests in the use of pulverized coal at its Oneida Street power plant in 1918. These experiments helped Fred L. Dornbrook develop to methods of controlling the pulverized coal's tarry ash residues with boiler fed water tube jackets that served to reduce the surface temperature of the firebox walls and allowed the ash deposits be easily removed. This plant became the first central power station in the United States to use pulverized fuel.

The Oneida Street power plant near Milwaukee's City Hall was subsequently decommissioned and renovated in 1987 is now the site of the Milwaukee Reparatory Theatre.

Steam locomotives

Pulverized coal firing has been used, to a limited extent, in steam locomotives. For example, see Prussian G 12.

See also

• Pulverizer
• Pulverised fuel firing

External links

• Developments in Pulverized Coal-Fired Boiler Technology (URL accessed on 30 March 2006)
• (URL accessed on 16 September 2008)