COBURNING BIOMASS AND COAL IN THE FUTURE

Created by Teachers, Engineers, and Scientists

Lesson Plan Created By:
Todd Mill
In Collaboration With:
Richard J. Jones, Ph.D., Physical Scientist
National Energy Technology Laboratory

OBJECTIVES

• The students will describe the flow of energy from energy source to the consumer.
• The students will consider the viability of other sources of energy production.
• The students will consider the economic sensibility of energy production.
• The students, in mixed groups, will address the following problems concerning one form of future energy production: Coburning Coal and Biomass.
  

1. What are some sources of biomass?
2. How do we efficiently ship source of biomass to power plant?
3. How do we prepare the biomass for burning?
4. What are some possible problems with the burning of biomass?
5. What are the possible losses and efficiencies of burning biomass?

BACKGROUND
As the United States continues to require more energy production in order to meet its ever increasing demands, the need for new energy and greater efficiency of already existing power plants and consumers is attracting more public attention.

One option being looked at by the Federal Energy Technology Center in Pittsburgh is the cofiring of Biomass, once living material that has stored energy inside, in coal fired electrical power plants. By mixing various inexpensive materials such as paper or wood with coal, power plants can expect to burn less coal thus reducing operating costs by burning less coal.

Before this option can be employed, there are several major problems that must be overcome. In most coal burning power plants, the coal must be pulverized into a powder form. This pulverized coal, when burned produces a constant and uniform heat when compared to the older method of stoking burners. If biomass is to be burned in a preexisting coal-fired power plant, the biomass must be dried and pulverized into a powder form. The biomass must also be shipped from the point of origin to the processing plant or the power plant. All of the preceding involve using energy to get energy. The net rate of efficiency has yet to be determined and is what this lesson plan is based on.

PROCEDURE
Have students list all sources of energy. Sources should include: petroleum, solar, coal, nuclear, wind, tides, geothermal, etc.

Have students trace energy from original source of energy to power plant and to light bulb. See example below.

Download PDF file of  Lesson Plan 1 [PDF-44KB]