Coal-Fired MHD Test Progress at the Component Development and Integration Facility 929285

The Component Development and Integration Facility (CDIF) is a Department of Energy test facility operated by MSE, Inc. MSE personnel are responsible for integrated testing of topping cycle components for the national coal-fired magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) development program. Initial facility checkout and baseline data generation testing at the CDIF utilized a 50-MW_t, oil-fired combustor (with ash injection to simulate coal slag carryover) coupled to the 1A₁ supersonic channel. In the fall of 1984, a 50-MW_t, pressurized, slag rejecting coal-fired combustor (CFC) replaced the oil-fired combustor in the test train. In the spring of 1989, a coal-fired precombustor was added to the test hardware, and current controls were installed in the spring of 1990. In the fall of 1990, the slag rejector was installed.

MSE test hardware activities included installing the final workhorse channel and modifying the coal-fired combustor by installing improved design and proof-of-concept (POC) test pieces. Additionally, the step to POC testing was begun by removing the workhorse combustor and installing the new prototypic combustor for testing. Other new hardware installed included the low pressure cooling system (LPCS) and the Westinghouse anode current consolidator. This paper discusses the involvement of this hardware in test progress during the past year.

Testing during the last year emphasized the final workhorse hardware testing including some pieces of POC hardware for checkout, materials evaluation for POC hardware, and fine coal assessment. This testing will be discussed.

Facility modifications and system upgrades for improved operation and duration testing will be discussed, including the air emissions monitoring support; oxygen, nitrogen, coal, and seed system upgrades; data acquisition system installation; A-Bay modifications; new slag removal system; and new solid suspension injection equipment. In addition, this paper will address long-term testing plans.