CCC/201 ISBN 978-92-9029-521-1

June 2012

copyright © IEA Clean Coal Centre

Abstract

Low rank coals have gained increasing importance in recent years and the long-term future of

coal-derived energy supplies will have to include the greater use of low rank coal. However, the

relatively low economic value due to the high moisture content and low calorific value, and other

undesirable properties of lignite coals limited their use mainly to power generation at, or, close to, the

mining site. Another important issue regarding the use of lignite is its environmental impact. A range

of advanced combustion technologies has been developed to improve the efficiency of lignite-fired

power generation. With modern technologies it is now possible to produce electricity economically

from lignite while addressing environmental concerns. This report reviews the advanced technologies

used in modern lignite-fired power plants with a focus on pulverised lignite combustion technologies.

CFBC combustion processes are also reviewed in brief and they are compared with pulverised lignite

combustion technologies.