A novel approach to real-time performance monitoring of a coal-fired power plant

Real-time performance monitoring of a coal-fired unit is essential in a deregulated market. A real-time performance monitoring system requires real-time (online) coal analysis. Since online coal analyzers are not routinely available for use in power plants, a novel approach to the determination of online coal analysis from flue gas composition measurements is taken. Using this approach, real-time performance monitoring software have been developed for several units. The principle behind the method and some field results are presented in this paper.