OTHER FUELS
Fuels, other than coal, oil and natural
gas, may include such substances as:
• Vegetation, both land and aquatic;
e.g. bagasse from sugar cane, corn husks, etc.
• Tars as residue from coal and coke
operations; e.g. from manufactured gas, steel making, etc.
• Garbage from industrial, commercial
and residential waste, etc.
• Gases from garbage piles and manure
heaps, etc.
The conversion of energy from
geothermal sources, wind, direct solar exposure, tides, temperature
differences between surface and deep sections of bodies of water and
other esoteric sources, are all in the experimental stage whose
economic feasibility is under consideration. Of all the sources
mentioned, only hydro, coal, oil and natural gas are subject to
procedures that may be considered adaptable to standardized
operations.
The decision as to what fuel should be
burned depends on the individual plant, the equipment and operating
personnel, local conditions, and principally on the price of the
fuel. The price, in turn, may be affected by its availability,
transportation and handling costs.
In very small plants, hand fi ring with
its consequent inefficient operation, cannot compete with oil or gas
firing, but higher prices for oil and gas, and lower labor costs, may
make such firing competitive.
In large central generating plants, the
method and fuel used, whether stoker, pulverized coal, oil or gas,
vary so little that price of the fuel is usually the determining
factor.
Some of the advantages and
disadvantages of oil and gas over coal are listed below; those for
oil and gas are essentially the same, except those for gas are
usually greater than for oil.
Advantages
1. Reduction in fuel handling costs.
2. Labor savings; no ash or dust
removal, etc.
3. Reduction, or elimination, of
storage space.
4. High effi ciencies and capacities
(especially for small plants).
5. No loss in heat value when properly
stored.
6. Cleanliness and freedom from dust.
Disadvantages
1. Usually cost more on equal Btu
basis; gas, oil, coal in descending order.
2. Danger from explosion if not
properly handled, gas more than oil.
3. Furnace maintenance high; may
require closer supervision.
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