Energy transition model in Thermal Power Plants. Waste gas recovery
Aboño Thermal PP. Coal to gas conversion.

Spain

The energy transition model in thermal power plants is exemplified by the coal-to-gas conversion at the Aboño Power Plant, owned by EDP Spain and located near the port of Gijón (Asturias). This 921 MW facility is advancing towards waste gas valorization by replacing coal with surplus steel gases from the Arcelor-Mittal steelworks and natural gas as support, reducing emissions and waste and complying with European environmental requirements. IDOM was contracted to provide basic engineering and technical specifications for the boiler conversion and modernization of equipment, supporting EDP in this transition.

In accordance with the foregoing, EDP plans to undertake a project for the reconversion of Group 1 of the Aboño power plant, moving from coal as the main fuel to the steel gases (blast furnace gas and coke battery gas) surpluses of the Arcelor-Mittal factory, which have already been used in the plant since 1975 as supplementary fuel. Additionally, Group 1 will use natural gas as a support fuel, both for the start-up and stabilization of the group, and when the availability of steel gases is not enough to maintain its minimum load. This modification is associated with environmental improvements such as reducing polluting emissions into the atmosphere (SO2, NOx and particles), reducing GHG emissions (CO2), reducing waste generation (mainly ash and slag), reducing the demand for water and, consequently, the waste generated.

The solution proposed for the projected conversion consists of:

• Dismantling of facilities associated with coal and liquid fuels.
• Modification of the gaseous fuel supply systems (steel gases and natural gas) in the Thermal Power Plant.
• Replacing existing coal burners in the boiler with others to burn gaseous fuels.
• Carrying out various actions in the air-smoke circuits to adapt them to the new fuels and comply with the environmental requirements for emissions into the atmosphere that may be imposed on the project.
• Extension of the life of the boiler, to keep it operational for another 25 years.
• Modernization of the turbo-group and auxiliary equipment according to the new combustion conditions in the boiler, in order to optimize its performance and the gross power delivered.
• Carrying out renovation, maintenance and work to extend life on other equipment and BOP systems of the group, so that it can function in safe and reliable conditions.

IDOM has been contracted by EDP to provide support during the execution of the project. The contracted services initially include the preparation of the Basic Engineering and the Specification for Contracting (under an EPC agreement) of the works related to the modifications of the boiler. Associated with this, EDP has also contracted IDOM to undertake a series of complementary works such as the preparation of a 3D model of the existing boiler, the dismantling plan of the facilities linked to the use of coal, a study of the capacity and operation of the gasometer, the structural check of the structure of the boiler and the air-smoke circuit, and the functional modeling of the water-steam circuit.

Coal-fired Power Plants