Hot flue gas filtration experience at the Power Systems Development Facility

AbstractHigh-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) filters are key components in the successful development of advanced coal-based power generation technologies, including integrated gasification combined cycles and pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC). In these applications the HTHP filters protect the downstream gas turbine from particle-related damage and clean the process gas to satisfy dust emission standards.HTHP filter systems have been under development worldwide for over 20 years. One of the objectives has been to identify filter elements capable of operating at temperatures above 850°C with commercially acceptable lifetimes. Because of the high temperatures and corrosive environments involved, ceramic filter materials have been the most widely tested. Such elements have proven prone to failure through several mechanisms, thereby lowering the overall reliability of the filter system and so impeding commercialization of the associated advanced power generation technology. The US Department of Energy (DOE) established the Power Systems Development Facility (PSDF) in 1994 to further development of components for these advanced technologies, especially HTHP filtration.This paper presents some of the test data collected during HTHP filtration of flue gas that relates to materials issues. The results are discussed and used to identify the course of future test workKeywords: high-temperaturehigh-pressure filters