Eliminating environmental impact of coal mining wastes and coal processing by-products by high temperature oxy-fuel CFB combustion for clean power Generation: A review

Coal mining and processing generate large volumes of combustible, causing serious damage to the environment. This vast and negative legacy of the coal era must be dealt with sensibly in the transition towards a clean energy future. A most meaningful remediation strategy is to burn them to generate electric power with CO₂ capture to eliminate environmental impact. This literature review begins with a comprehensive examination of the resources in terms of volume, characteristics and fuel properties, and applicable matching thermal power generation technologies. It then proposes new and alternative process technologies and identifies areas where R&D effort is needed. The type, composition and characteristics of the coal wastes are summarised and compared. Combustion technologies are examined for their relevance and applicability. A novel process concept integrating oxy-fuel combustion for CO₂-capture and high temperature fuel-lean combustion for low NOx in circulating fluidised-bed for SOx fixation with supercritical steam cycle for high-efficiency power generation is introduced. Preliminary technoeconomic analysis indicates that this innovative process is technically feasible and economically viable to contain the environmental impact of the coal mining wastes and coal processing by-products. This literature review serves as a comprehensive guide for continuous development of technologies for highly efficient, low emission power generation from coal mining wastes and coal processing by-products. Naturally, the outcomes of this literature study are also applicable to continuing improvement of current and future coal- and biomass-fired power generation as well as solid waste to energy technologies.