Technical services and consulting

Coal & Environment Research Laboratory

Coal & Environment Research Laboratory

Coal plays an important role as one of the major primary energies. On the other hand, CO2 is generated with use, so efforts are required to reduce emissions.
Coal & Environment Research Laboratory is Japan's only comprehensive research institute specializing in coal, working to realize environmentally harmonious coal operations and address various technical challenges faced by our customers.
For customers who use coal, we back up the entire supply chain and provide proposals for optimal coal combustion using clean coal technology. We are also actively promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions through biomass co-firing and the development of technology to use CO2 as a chemical raw material.

technology consulting

Based on the high-efficiency coal combustion technology and environmental protection technology that we have cultivated over many years, we develop technologies and systems that contribute to solving customers' technical issues and environmental issues, and use these tools to meet the diverse needs of customers.

Combustion simulation (boiler combustion optimization)

We use a computer to analyze gas flow, temperature distribution, and particle trajectories within the furnace and propose optimal boiler operating conditions.

Features

In order to burn coal with higher efficiency, it is important to analyze the combustion behavior inside the boiler and perform optimal operation.
Idemitsu has developed a pulverized coal combustion simulator to analyze gas flow, particle trajectories, temperature distribution, etc. inside the boiler. This has great power in selecting the optimal coal based on the characteristics of the equipment, and in considering the optimization of operating conditions, such as improving combustion efficiency (reducing unburned carbon), reducing NOx, and reducing ash adhesion (slagging).

Monitoring camera inside high temperature furnace

You can see clear images of the inside of a coal boiler.
If a customer wants to observe the situation inside the furnace in order to consider countermeasures against problems with ash adhesion inside the furnace or to optimize combustion, we can conduct observation tests.

Features

  • A high-resolution CCD camera is placed at the tip of the water-cooled + air-cooled probe.

  • The high-performance cooling system allows the area around the CCD camera to be maintained below 60℃ even in the high-temperature furnace.

  • The unique air blowing structure allows it to be used even in dusty environments.

Monitoring camera inside high temperature furnace

Video of the inside of a pulverized coal boiler (our privately used boiler)

Pulverized coal boiler furnace interior image 1
Pulverized coal boiler furnace interior image 2
Monitoring the upper burner from the hearth bottom: (1)

Monitoring the upper burner from the hearth bottom: (1)

Lower CONC burner: (1)

Lower CONC burner: (1)

Monitoring of ash accumulation at the bottom of the furnace: (1)

Monitoring of ash accumulation at the bottom of the furnace: (1)

Clinker attached to screen pipe: (2)

Clinker attached to screen pipe: (2)

Lower burner section: (3)

Lower burner section: (3)

Clinker ash deposited at the bottom of the furnace: (3)

Clinker ash deposited at the bottom of the furnace: (3)

Coal/biomass analysis

We analyze the properties and practical performance of solid fuels such as coal and biomass.

From general properties to practicality analysis

We analyze the general properties of coal, whose quality varies greatly depending on the region of production.
We also perform special analyzes to more accurately determine the practical performance of coal, such as its combustibility, handling properties, and environmental adaptability.

List of analysis items

General analysis

  • total water

  • Calorific value measurement

  • Grindability (HGI)

  • industrial analysis

  • elemental analysis

  • Sulfur content analysis in ash

  • Total sulfur analysis

  • Chlorine/fluorine analysis

  • Crucible expansion test (CSN)

  • Ash melting temperature measurement

  • Coal ash composition analysis

  • particle size test

special analysis

  • trace elements

  • Sulfur by form

  • SEM/EDS

  • Low temperature ashing treatment

  • Mineral identification/quantification

  • Particle size distribution

  • true specific gravity

  • Bulk specific gravity

Practicality evaluation/test

We conduct predictive evaluations and plant tests of combustibility, crushability, handling, spontaneous heat generation, etc. in actual boilers.

Environmental protection technology product Coal dust scattering prevention agent “Idemitsu Coal Clean WA-500”

This is a "dust scattering prevention agent" that can be used for coal and petroleum coke powder. Effective in small amounts and prevents coal dust from scattering. It contributes to improving the working environment in coal yards and factories and reducing the impact on the living environment.