Combustion efficiencies (carbon utilization) for AFBC boilers range lrom 701 to 99.

5
percent. The loss in combustion efficiency arises from incomplete comrbustion of fixed
carbon (char) and olatiles. Higher efficiencies are attained through modifications of
the system. This increases both the cormplcxut of the system and the cost. Table I
summarizes the measured combustion efficiencies front commcrcial boilers and
demonstration units. The combustion efficiency depends on the fuel reactivity, volatile
content, and particle siue. Reactive coals such as lignite or subbituminous will burn
relatively efficiently without using ash recycle or underbed feeding. The reactivity of
bituminous coals may be sensitive to fines content. Unreacti-e fuels such as anthracite
may result in low efficiencies. These fuels may burn more efficiently in an underfeed
bubbling boiler with ash recycle or in a CFBC system. Because many uses of AFBC
boilers include burning, of less efficient solid wastes, many researchers feel that AFBC
boilers" efficiencies should not be compacd with conventional boiler,-' efficiencies.
Since the AFBC tecnnology is relatively new, calculating the boiler efficiency of
fluidized bed boilers is not as well defined as it is for conventional boilers. In addition,
the design conditions can vary from one supplier to another and each has its own
method for determining performance. Table 2 summarizes the boiler efficiencies
reported from commercial boilers and demonstration units. The high performance
CFBC boiler's efficiency is comparable to the PC boiler's efficiency.