(549a) Test Results of the Ammonia Mixed Combustion at Mizushima Power Station Unit No.2 and Related Patent Applications

Test results of the ammonia mixed Combustion at Mizushima Power Station Unit No.2 and related patent applications.
At the Mizushima Power Station Unit No.2(Coal-fired, Location: Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, rated output: 156,000 kW), the Chugoku Electric Power Company conducted the ammonia mixed-combustion test from July 3 to 9 in order to reduce the environmental burden of coal-fired power stations. We compile the test results and report it to Japan Science and Technology Agency(JST), and we are pleased to inform you today that we applied for patents on the findings obtained in this examination.
This test is part of the "ammonia direct burning" as a commissioned research topic on "energy carriers" out of the "Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)" of the Cabinet Office's Science and Technology and Innovation Council, commissioned from JST.
In the test, it was confirmed that ammonia used as fuel could be burned completely in the boiler and contributed to power generation. In addition, it was not confirmed the environmental problems caused by nitrogen oxides.
Initially, the co-firing rate was set at about 0.6% by operating the generator output at 155,000 kW and maximally supplying ammonia from the existing ammonia facility. However, due to the weather, by lowering the generator output to 120,000 kW, it was possible to burn the mixture to about 0.8% (equivalent to 1,000 kW) as a result.
Since we have confirmed new knowledge that the concentration of nitrogen oxide tends to decrease under certain conditions in the combustion method tested this time, we have applied for a patent.
Through this examination, we confirmed that ammonia can contribute to power generation as a fuel, without greatly affecting the environment, with regard to co-firing of ammonia to coal-fired power plants. Therefore, it is possible to further increase of the ammonia co-firing rate for coal-fired power plant in the future.
Chugoku Electric Power Co. and JST will continue to contribute to reducing the environmental impact of thermal power stations and energy efficiency.
* 1: Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP): A national project to realize science and technology innovation by The Cabinet Office's Integrated Science and Technology ï½¥ Innovation Council having the function of the command tower, with the management beyond the framework of the Ministry of Council and the old field.
* 2: Energy carrier: A substance used for energy transportation / storage. For the hydrogen energy, there are liquefied hydrogen, organic hydride (methyl -cyclohexane), ammonia and the like, and researches are progressing on each.