Foster Wheeler Conducting Design Study on CFB Technology
Foster Wheeler Corporation and Constructions Industrielles de la Mediterranee (CNIM) of France are taking part in a design study for the next generation of Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB) electrical generation technology for Electricite de France (EDF), the world's largest electric utility. Foster Wheeler Energia Oy will work with CNIM to develop the study.
The purpose of the study is to develop an advanced CFB design for a utility size CFB producing 600 MW. The new design will rely on proven scaling principles, using demonstrated state-of-the-art design features and more than 100 years of experience held by the study's participants.
"Electricite de France foresees CFB technology as playing a crucial role in meeting the world's future electricity demands," said Henry E. Bartoli, chairman and CEO of Foster Wheeler Energy International, Inc. "Taking the CFB technology to the 600 MW size is a key part of our strategy to offer a clean and efficient repowering option to the aging coal fleets of developed nations."
To achieve efficiency levels, the design will feature an advanced variable-pressure steam cycle. This advanced steam cycle improves and optimizes the plant efficiency over a wide operating range. To support the aggressive steam conditions, advanced materials will be utilized throughout the design.
When this unit is built it will represent the largest, most advanced CFB in the world, more than double the size of any operating CFB unit today. Officials are hoping to competitively supply electricity while meeting future environmental needs.
CFB technology cleanly and efficiently generates electricity from a wide variety of low cost and waste solid fuels, such as all types of coal, refinery waste products, biomass and garbage. Its fluidized-bed combustion process extracts energy from low value fuels while inherently capturing harmful pollutants. Foster Wheeler is the leading supplier of CFB technology throughout the world, offering units for steam and electricity production of up to 400 MW electrical output.