WO1997039278A1

WO1997039278A1 - A method and a combustion plant for pressurized fluidised bed combustion with recirculation of solid material

Info

Publication number: WO1997039278A1
Application number: PCT/SE1997/000595
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Adams; Hans Andersson; Jim Anderson; Karl-Erik Andersson; Mats C. Andersson; Roine Brännström; Håkan SKEPPE; John Weatherby
Original assignee: Abb Carbon Ab
Priority date: 1996-04-12
Filing date: 1997-04-10
Publication date: 1997-10-23
Also published as: SE9601390D0; CN1125949C; SE9601390L; JP2000508749A; CN1182182A

Abstract

A combustion plant comprises a combustion chamber (1) which is provided to enclose a pressurized, fluidized bed (4). Furthermore, the plant comprises a purification device (9, 10, 11) for purifying the combustion gases. The purification device comprises a separating member (9) and a device for recirculating the separated particulate material to the combustion chamber (1). The recirculation device comprises a channel (23) connecting the separating member and combustion chamber, and passive means (25) configured in such a manner that during the operation of the combustion plant a column of material is formed in the channel (23). The passive means forms a passage having a constant flow area in a lower part of the channel (23) and permits that the weight of the column (24) of material in a continuous flow discharges the material therethrough. The invention also relates to a method of operating the combustion plant.

Description

A METHODANDACOMBUSTIONPLANTFORPRESSURIZED FLUIDISED BEDCOMBUSTION WITHRECIRCULATIONOFSOLID MATERIAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The present invention refers to a combustion plant comprising a combustion chamber, provided to enclose a pressurized fluidized bed in which a combustion of a fuel is intended to be performed while forming combustion gases; means for feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the bed from beneath; and a purification device for purifying said combustion gases, said purification device comprising a separating member, arranged to separate particulate material from said combustion gases, and a device, comprising a channel connecting the separating member and the combustion chamber, and being arranged to recirculate the material separated to the combustion chamber. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method of combustion in a combustion chamber enclosing a pressurized fluidized bed, comprising the steps of feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the bed from beneath; supplying a fuel to the bed; collecting combustion gases formed during the combustion; separating solid material from said combustion gases; and recirculating the solid material separated to the combustion chamber.

It is known to combust different fuels in a bed of particulate, incombustible material, which bed is supplied with combustion air from beneath through nozzles in such a manner that the bed becomes fluidized. One differs between different types of such combustion in a fluidized bed, which operate according to different principles and under different conditions. Firstly, one differs between an atmospheric bed and a pressurized bed. In comparison with an atmospheric bed a pressurized, fluidized bed is characterized by a small plant size in relation to the effect produced, by a high efficiency, and in that the combustion occurs under advantageous conditions from an environmental and economical point of view. A pressurized bed may have a larger height than an atmospheric bed since one may operate with greater pressure drops. Among the atmospheric beds so called circulating beds are frequently used, in which the bed material is permitted to circulate through a separating device in order to be recirculated to the bed. In such a way possibly unburnt fuel may be recirculated, which improves the efficiency of the combustion, and also absorbent material not used for absorption of in the first place sulphur, which decreases the discharge of contaminates from the combustion. However, such circulating beds operate with relatively high fluidizing velocities, in typical cases in the order of 5-12 m/s. By fluidizing velocity is meant the velocity that the gas would have had if it would have flowed through the combustion chamber without the presence of particles. This causes problems with erosion on for instance the steam tube arrangement provided in bed in such a way that the lifetime thereof significantly decreases. Furthermore, one may discern the so called bubbling beds in which the fluidizing velocity is relatively low, in typical cases between 0,5 and 2 m/s. Such a bed is relatively well defined in a vertical direction and there is formed a space, a so called freeboard, in the combustion chamber above the bed. In this freeboard a relatively small amount of dust particles are present in comparison with a circulating bed but there is essentially no pressure drop across the freeboard.

In recent time one have tried to provide a certain circulation also in pressurized beds by supplying the combustion gases leaving the combustion chamber to a cyclone for separation of solid material, which is recirculated to the combustion chamber. In order to obtain completely the desired effect concerning the degree of utilisation of the absorbent and the combustion efficiency by the recirculation, the solid material should be supplied at the bottom of the fluidized bed. This means that one has to overcome the pressure drop which is present in the bed and in the cyclone, in typical cases about 0,5 bars.

In order to overcome this pressure drop it has been suggested to provide a dosing device, for example of a cell feeding type, at the end of a recirculating pipe provided preferably vertically and connecting the cyclone to a combustion chamber. The dosing device may comprise a rotatable shutter provided on the pipe and having a weight which in normal cases keeps the shutter in a closed position. When the amount of material in the pipe is sufficient the weight thereof will overcome the weight of the shutter which means that the shutter is opened and the material is discharged. Such a device leads to an intermittent recirculation of solid material. However, such devices do not function in the way intended in the environment of a fluidized bed due to the movements occuring in the bed and the forces caused by these movements. Furthermore, such devices are rapidly destroyed due to the aggressive, erosive and corrosive environment.

An other solution is a L-valve located in the bed and having a vertical portion in which a column of material is built up. In order to provide a flow of material through the channel such a device requires that gas is injected in the lower portion of the L-valve and in order to provide stability it is necessary to continuously measure the height of the column of material, which is very difficult, if not impossible, in the actual environment. SE-B-460 148 suggests another way of overcoming this pressure drop. SE-E-460 148 discloses a combustion plant having a combustion chamber enclosing a pressurized fluidized bed for the combustion of a fuel while forming combustion gases. Furthermore, the plant comprises a purification of said combustion gases in several stages. In a first stage particulate material is separated by means of a cyclone from the combustion gases and supplied to a collection chamber beneath the cyclone. Via a horizontal recirculating channel the collected dust particles are fed back to the combustion chamber in order to improve the use of unburnt fuel and absorbent material. The recirculation is accomplished by means of an air driven ejector blowing the material into the combustion chamber. However, such an air injection is very expensive. The gain of the absorbent utilization and the combustion efficiency is lost in the effect for the compressor providing primary air to the ejector. In addition this method leads to erosion.

It should be noted that the recirculation of solid material separated from the combustion gases means that the recirculated fine part may provide as much as 10-40% of the mass of the bed, which strongly influences the heat transfer coefficient to the tubes located in the bed. The fine part is comprised of particles having a largest diameter of about 300-400 urn and an average particle diameter of about 50-150 urn.

US-A-4 021 184 discloses a combustion plant developed for the combustion of waste material. The plant comprises a combustion chamber for a recirculating fluidized bed. The bed disclosed in this document is not pressurized but the plant operates at atmospheric pressure and is of a diluted type (dilute phase fluidized bed), i.e. the fluidized bed fills up the whole combustion chamber. Such a type of bed means that a very large part of the solid, hot bed material will be transported out from the combustion chamber together with the combustion gases formed during the combustion. Therefore, it is suggested that cyclones for separating dust particles from these gases are provided at the outlet of the combustion chamber and that the separated, hot dust particles are recirculated to the combustion chamber via conduit pipes connecting the cyclones with the combustion chamber. In such a manner it is possible to recover the heat energy in the dust particles leaving the combustion chamber. Thus, a recirculation may be obtained due to the low pressure drop across the bed, i.e. the whole combustion chamber. In addition, the valve mentioned (trickle valve) in the end of the conduit pipe is probably necessary.

EP-B-176 293 discloses another combustion plant having a combustion chamber which encloses a fluidized bed and in which combustion of a fuel is intended to be performed while forming combustion gases. The bed is of a bubbling type but the combustion chamber operates at atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, the plant comprises a cyclone for separating particulate material from the combustion gases and provided above the combustion chamber. The particulate material separated is conducted via a pipe back into the bed by letting the material simply fall freely through the pipe. This is possible since the bed disclosed in this document has a relatively low height, about 1 m. Thereby, also the pressure drop is relatively small.

US-A-4 103 646 discloses a plant comprising two combustion chambers, first having a fast fluidized bed, i.e. the fluidizing velocity is between 7 and 10 m/s, and second having a "slow", bubbling fluidized bed. The combustion gases formed in the first combustion chamber are conducted to a cyclone, where solid material is separated and fed to the second combustion chamber. In the bottom of the second combustion chamber there is a discharge channel for solid material which by means of air injection then is recirculated to the first fast combustion chamber.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to remedy the problems mentioned above and provide a combustion plant having an improved efficiency and an improved degree of utilization of the absorbent supplied. In particular, the invention aims at providing an effective recirculation of solid material separated from the combustion gases to a pressurized, fluidized bed.

This object is obtained by the combustion plant initially defined and characterized in that the recirculating device comprises passive means which are provided in such a manner that a column of material is formed in the channel during the operation of the combustion plant and which are forming, in the lower part of the channel, a passage having a constant flow area and that the passage permits that the weight of the column of material discharges the material therethrough in a continuos flow. Thus, merely the weight of the column of material will provide for a continuous and uniform recirculation of separated solid particulate material to the combustion chamber. Since the recirculation device according to the invention comprises passive means not requiring any compressor or other driving member for overcoming the pressure difference and feeding out material from the column of material, the cost of the device is very favourable, concerning manufacturing as well as operation. Furthermore, problems of erosion caused by the injector feed of the material are avoided. Thus, since the recirculation channel according to the invention does not comprise any moveable constructive elements it will have a very high reliability. Advantageously, the passive means are configured in such a manner that the column of material formed during the operation of the combustion plant has a height exceeding the height of the bed in a combustion chamber.

According an embodiment of the invention the passive means are arranged to prevent the gas from beneath from entering the channel. In such a manner no fluidization of the material present in the channel will take place and the recirculation of the material also will not be hindered. Thereby, the passive means may comprise a surface which is provided at the lower end of the channel and seen from beneath covers at least a larger part of the cross-section area of the channel.

According to a further embodiment said surface forms an angel of inclination to a vertical axis which amounts to about 20-90°, preferably 21-39°. By such a sloping surface it is prevented that gas entering the channel and simultaneously the surface facilitates the recirculation of the material into the combustion chamber. The surface will function as a sliding surface or some kind of chute for the material by such a favourable angle of inclination. According to a preferred embodiment said surface may be formed by a plate fixed to the channel. Said surface may also be formed by a portion of a lower wall downwardly delimiting the bed. This embodiment is constructively very simple since it may be obtained by simply closing or removing the air injecting nozzles positioned straight below the channel in the bottom plate of the combustion chamber. By such a configuration the channel may be formed by merely a straight downwardly directed pipe. Thereby, said portion may be raised with respect to the lower wall.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the channel extends essentially vertically. According to another embodiment of the invention the passive means comprises at least one portion of the channel, which extends in a direction forming an angle to a vertical axis. Advantageously, said portion may have an orifice in the wall of the combustion chamber and thus form the inlet orifice of the channel into the combustion chamber. Furthermore, said portion may be cut in an essentially vertical plane to form the orifice of the channel in the combustion chamber. In such a manner it is prevented that the combustion air flowing upwardly enters the channel.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the passive means comprises merely static elements and is free from all types of dynamic auxiliary members for providing a movement of the column of material, such as air injecting members, ejectors, propellers, scrapers, etc.

In a preferred application of the invention there is a pressure vessel enclosing the combustion chamber and the separating member, and means arranged to maintain a pressure above the atmospheric pressure in the pressure vessel. Thereby, the pressure means at full load is arranged to maintain a pressure in the bed of about 7-30 bars (abs) . Preferably, the bed is of a bubbling type. The bed may have a height which is between 2 and 6 m.

According to a further application of the invention the recirculation channel may have an orifice in the combustion chamber, preferably beneath a tube arrangement arranged for heating of water and/or superheating of steam and provided in the bed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the separating member is provided in the combustion chamber. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the means for feeding oxygen-containing gas to the bed comprise nozzles provided beneath the bed and are arranged to supply the oxygen-containing gas in such manner that a fluidizing velocity of about 0,5 - 2,0 m/s is obtained.

The object defined above is also obtained by the method initially defined and characterized in that the material separated is supplied to a channel in such a manner that a column of material is formed therein and that the column of material merely due to its weight recirculates the material in a continuos flow through a passage having a constant opening area and being provided in the lower portion of the channel. Thus, the discharge of the material into the combustion chamber is produced merely by the weight of the column of material and without influence from outside of previously used auxiliary means such as ejectors or the like. The operation of the plant ensures the filling of the column of material from above through the separating member.

Preferred embodiments of the method are defined in claims 23 and 24.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained by means of different embodiments, defined by way of example, and with reference to the drawings attached.

Fig 1 discloses schematically a PFBC-power plant having a combined gas and steam cycle (the latter not disclosed) .

Fig 2-5 discloses different embodiments of a combustion chamber and a recirculation channel of the power plant according to the invention for solid material separated from the combustion gases. 5

10

Fig 6-12 discloses different embodiments of the recirculation channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be explained with a reference to a so called PFBC-power plant (pressurized, fluidized bed combustion) . However, it should be noted that the invention also is applicable to other types of plants, in particular combustion plants without power production. A PFBC-power plant, i.e. a plant for the combustion of particulate fuel in a pressurized, fluidized bed, is schematically disclosed in Fig 1. The plant comprises a combustion chamber 1 being housed in a pressure vessel 2, having a volume in the order of IO⁴ m³ and which may be pressurized to for example between 7 and 30 bars (abs) . Compressed oxygen-containing gas, in the example disclosed air, is supplied to the pressure vessel 2 at 3 for pressurizing the combustion chamber 1 and for fluidizing a bed 4 in the combustion chamber 1. The compressed air is supplied to the combustion chamber 1 via schematically indicated fluidizing nozzles 5 being provided in the bottom of the combustion chamber 1 for fluidizing the bed 4 enclosed in the combustion chamber 1. The air is supplied in such a manner that a fluidizing velocity of about 0.5 - 2.0 m/s is obtained. The bed 4 is of a bubbling type and may have a height h being about 2-6 m. It comprises a non-combustible, particulate bed material, particulate absorbent and a particulate fuel. The particle size of the bed material not circulating, the absorbent and the fuel is between about 0.5 and 7 mm. The bed material comprises for example ashes and/or sand and the absorbent a lime containing material, for example dolomite or lime stone for absorption of the sulphur or possible other undesired substances released during the combustion. The fuel is supplied in such a quantity that it forms about 1% of the bed. By fuel is meant all fuels which may burn such as for example pit coal, brown coal, coke, peat, biofuel, oil shale, pet coke, waste, oils, hydrogen gas and other gases, etc. The bed material, the absorbent and the fuel are supplied to the bed 4, via a conduit 6 schematically disclosed. The fuel is combusted in the fluidizing air supplied to the bed 4 while forming combustion gases. These are collected in a space 7 located above the bubbling bed 4, a so called freeboard, and are then conducted via a channel 8 to a separating member 9, in the example disclosed a cyclone. From there the combustion gases are conducted further to further purification devices, which are disclosed schematically at 10 and which for example may comprise cyclones provided in several stages. Thereafter, the combustion gases are conducted further via for example a high temperature filter 11 to a gas turbine 12 which in the example disclosed comprises a high pressure stage 13 and a low pressure stage 14. The high pressure turbine 13 is provided on the same shaft as the high pressure compressor 15 and a generator 16 which in this manner is driven by the high pressure turbine for producing electrical energy. The high pressure compressor 15 delivers compressed air to the combustion chamber 1 via the conduit 17.

The combustion gases expanded in the high pressure turbine 13 are conducted to a low pressure turbine 14. The combustion gases leaving the low pressure turbine 14 still comprise energy which may be recovered in an economizer 18. The low pressure turbine 14 is provided on the same shaft as the low pressure compressor 19 which is supplied with air from the atmosphere via a filter 20. The low pressure compressor 19 is thus driven by the low pressure turbine 14 and provides from its outlet the high pressure compressor 15 with air which has been compressed in a first stage. Between the low pressure compressor 19 and the high pressure compressor 15 an intermediate cooler 21 is provided for lowering the temperature of the air supplied to the inlet of the high pressure compressor 15.

Furthermore, the power plant comprises a steam turbine side, which is not disclosed, but indicated by the arrangement in a form of a tube set 22, which is submerged in the fluidized bed 4. In the tube set 22 water is circulated evaporated and superheated by heat-exchange between the tubes and the bed material for receiving the heat produced by the combustion performed in the bed 4.

In the cyclone 9 provided in connection to the combustion chamber and also called zero step cyclone, solid particulate material is separated from the combustion gases. These solid particulate material comprises on one hand bed material and ashes but also unburnt fuel and absorbent. It is therefore desirable to recirculate this unused material to the bed 4 for, if possible, combust unburnt fuel and utilize unused absorbent. This recirculation is performed by a recirculation device comprising a channel 23. The channel 23 shall be configured in such a manner that a column 24 of material is formed in the channel 23 during the operation of the plant. The column 24 of material so formed shall have a height h' exceeding the height h of the bed 4. Due to this height difference the gravity will influence the material in the column 24 of material in such a manner that this is fed continuously downwardly into the combustion chamber 1 and in the examples disclosed downwardly into the bed 4 under the tube set 22. This height difference may be provided by a variety of different embodiments of the channel 23. The channel 23 may have an arbitrary cross-section, for instance circular, oval elliptic, rectangular, polygonal etc. In Fig 1 the recirculation device comprises an inclined wall 25 in the lowest portion of the channel 23, which in cooperation with the channel 23 forms a passage with a constant flow area. Thus, the orifice of the channel 23 is formed by the lowest edge of the inclined wall 25 and an edge of the channel 23 thereabove. The inclined wall may have an angle v of inclination in relation to the vertical axis which amounts to about 20 to 90°, i.e. in the extreme case is perpendicular to said vertical axis. A preferred angle v of inclination is between about 21 and 39°. The inclined wall 25 prevents the gas flowing upwardly from the nozzles 5 from entering the channel and functions as sliding surface for the material flowing downwardly. In such a manner a column of material of the downwardly flowing material is formed. In order to reduce the recirculation velocity the opening area of the orifice may be less than the cross-section area of the channel 23. It should be noted that the orifice in the example disclosed in Fig 1 is completely located in an essentially vertical plane. Since merely small quantities of the combustion air flowing upwardly thus may enter the channel 23 no fluidizing of the material present in the channel 23 will take place.

Fig 2-5 disclose other embodiments of the recirculation channel 23 and the separating member 9. It should be noted that elements having a corresponding function have been provided with the same reference signs in the different embodiments.

The recirculation device disclosed in Fig 2 comprises a relatively soft curve 26 in the lower part of the channel 23. The orifice is also in this example formed by cutting the channel 23 in an essentially vertical plane. A lower tangential plane of the curve 26 at the end of the channel is inclined in relation to a vertical axis by the angle v which may have the same value as in the example disclosed in Fig 1. The curve 26 disclosed forms a passage which will prevent gas flowing upwardly from entering the channel 23 and function as a sliding surface for the material flowing downwardly. In order to reduce the recirculation velocity of the material the channel 23 may have a smaller cross-section area at the curve 26 than upstream thereof. In addition, the cyclone 9 disclosed in Fig 2 is completely enclosed in the combustion chamber 1.

The recirculation device disclosed in Fig 3 comprises a channel 23 which extends outside the combustion chamber 1 and in a direction which forms an angle v to a vertical axis. The channel 23 extends through a passage in the wall of the combustion chamber 1, which passage forms the orifice of the channel 23. The angle v may for example be between 10 and 50°, preferably between 21 and 39°. By means of such a sloping recirculation channel 23 the quantity of gas flowing upwardly in the channel is reduced, resulting in the formation of a column 24 of material extending upwardly above the bed 4. Merely the weight of this column 24 of material ensures an equal and continuous discharge of the solid material separated. In order to reduce the recirculation velocity of the solid material flowing downwardly, also in this case the cross-section area at said passage, i.e. in the proximity of the orifice of the channel

23, may be less than at a higher position of the channel 23.

The cyclone 9 is in this example located completely outside the combustion chamber 1 and is connected therewith via the schematically disclosed pipe conduit 8. Although the orifice of the channel 23 in Fig 3 is located at the same height as the tube set 22, it should be noted that the orifice disclosed in Fig 3 may be located below or above the level of the tube set 22.

Fig 4 discloses another variant of a recirculation device having a channel 23 extending essentially vertically. In this case the recirculation device comprises a portion 27 of the channel 23 sloping downwardly, which reduces the quantity of gas flowing upwardly in the channel 23 and functions as a sliding surface for the solid particulate material flowing downwardly. The portion 27 forms a passage having a flow area which has such a dimension that a column 24 of material is formed and having a height h' exceeding the height h of the bed 4. The cyclone 9 disclosed in Fig 4 is enclosed in the combustion chamber 1 and located in its upper part, i.e. the freeboard 7.

Fig 5 discloses another variant of a recirculation device having a channel 23 similar to the one in Fig 2 but having an orifice in the freeboard 7 of the combustion chamber 1.

Fig 6-12 disclose further variants of the recirculation device according to the invention. In Fig 6 this device comprises a channel 23 similar to the one in Fig 1 but the lower plate 25 extends essentially perpendicular to a vertical axis. This embodiment is especially simple from a manufacturing point of view. There will be formed an accumulation 29 of material flowing downwardly in the corner formed by the plate 25 and the channel 23. This accumulation will function as a sliding surface for the material flowing downwardly. The channel 23 disclosed in Fig 7 comprises a portion 27 similar to the one in Fig 4 but the lower part of the portion 27 sloping with the angle v is prolonged in the direction of the outflowing material in relation to the upper part of the sloping portion 27. In such a manner the orifice of the channel 23 will have an angle a of inclination in relation to a vertical axis. By this embodiment the quantity of gas flowing upwardly in the channel 23 is reduced. The channel disclosed in Fig 8 is similar to the one disclosed in Fig 1 but the plate 25 sloping with the angle v is shortened in such a manner that seen from beneath the plate does not cover the whole cross- section area of the channel 23. Thus, the orifice of the channel 23 forms an angle b to a vertical axis. By such an embodiment most of the gas flowing upwardly will certainly be prevented from entering the channel 23 but a part thereof is permitted to mix up with the column 24 of material. This may be desirable in certain applications when one wishes a gas mixture in the material separated. In Fig 9 the channel 23 comprises a plate 30 being fixed in the channel 23 in such a manner that an essentially peripheral opening is formed between the plate 30 and the channel 23. The plate 30 may be fixed by means of a number of barlike rods schematically disclosed at 31. It should be noted that the plate 30 also may be provided sloping with an angle v in relation to a vertical axis. The recirculation device disclosed in Fig 10 comprises a downwardly completely open channel 23 having an orifice precisely above a bottom plate 32 of the combustion chamber 1. In the portion 33 of the bottom plate 32 being located below the channel 23 there are no fluidizing nozzles 5 which otherwise are provided over essentially the whole surface of the bottom plate 32. In such a manner no gas flowing upwardly from the nozzles 5 may enter the channel 23 and causing a fluidization of the material present therein. Thereby, a column 24 of material may be built up and an uniform and continuous discharge of material to the lower part of the bed is obtained. The material so discharged will thereafter be brought upwardly in the bed due to the gas flowing upwardly from the nozzles 5. Fig 11 discloses a recirculation device similar to the one in Fig 10 but the portion 33 provided in the bottom plate 32 and having no fluidizing nozzles 5 is raised in relation to the other surface of the bottom plate 32. The recirculation device disclosed in Fig 12 comprises the channel 23 having a funnel-shaped conical extension 34 being open downwardly. In this extension 34 a cone is provided by means of one or more attachment plates 36. The extension 34 and the cone 35 form a cone angle v in relation to the vertical axis. This angle v is, as these in the preceding example, between 20 and 90°, preferably between 21 and 39°. The present invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments disclosed above but may be varied and modified within a scope of the following claims.

In certain applications of the present invention, it might be advantageous to provide two or more separating members 9 in a parallel configuration with each other. Each separating member 9 is in this case preferably provided with a recirculation channel 23. Such a parallel configuration may for example be necessary in order to achieve an appropriate separation efficiency.

Claims

1. A combustion plant comprising: a combustion chamber (1) , provided to enclose a pressurized fluidized bed (4) in which a combustion of a fuel is intended to be performed while forming combustion gases; means for feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the bed (4) from beneath; and a purification device (9, 10, 11) for purifying said combustion gases, said purification device comprising a separating member (9) , arranged to separate particulate material from said combustion gases, and a device (23) , comprising a channel (23) connecting the separating member

(9) and the combustion chamber (1) , and being arranged to recirculate the material separated to the combustion chamber (1), characterized in that the recirculating device comprises passive means (23, 25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 35) which are provided in such a manner that a column (24) of material is formed in the channel (23) during the operation of the combustion plant and which are forming, in the lower part of the channel, a passage having a constant flow area and that the passage permits that the weight of the column of material discharges the material therethrough in a continuos flow.

2. A combustion plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the passive means are provided in such a manner that the column (24) of material formed during the operation of the combustion plant has a height (h' ) exceeding the height (h) of the bed (4) in the combustion chamber (1) .

3. A combustion plant according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the passive means are arranged to prevent the gas from beneath from entering the channel (23) .

4. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that passive means comprises a surface (25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 35) which is provided at the lower end of the channel and seen from beneath covers at least a larger part of the cross-section area of the channel (23) .

5. A combustion plant according to claim 4, characterized in that said surface (25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 35) forms an angle (v) of inclination to a vertical axis which amounts to about 20 - 90°, preferably 21 - 39°.

6. A combustion plant according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said surface is formed by a plate (25, 26, 27, 30, 35) fixed to the channel (23) .

7. A combustion plant according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said channel is formed by a portion of a lower wall (32) downwardly delimiting the bed (4) .

8. A combustion plant according to claim 7, characterized in that said portion (33) is raised with respect to the lower wall (32) .

9. A combustion plant according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the channel (23) extends essentially vertically.

10. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive means comprises at least one portion (23, 26, 27) of the channel (23) , which extends in a direction forming an angle (v) to an vertical axis.

11. A combustion plant according to claim 10, characterized in that said channel portion (23) has an orifice in the wall of the combustion chamber (1) and thus forms the inlet orifice of the channel (23) into the combustion chamber (1) .

12. A combustion plant according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that channel portion (23, 25, 26) is cut in an essentially vertical plane for forming the orifice of the channel (23) in the combustion chamber (1) .

13. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive means comprises merely static elements (25, 26, 27, 30, 33, 35) and is free from all types of dynamic auxiliary members for providing a movement of the column of material, such as air injecting members, ejectors, propellers, scrapers, etc.

14. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a pressure vessel (2) enclosing the combustion chamber (1) and the separating member (9), and means (15, 19) arranged to maintain a pressure above the atmospheric pressure in the pressure vessel (2) .

15. A combustion plant according to claim 14, characterized in that the pressure means (15, 19) at full load are arranged to maintain a pressure in the bed (4) of about 7 - 30 bars (abs) .

16. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bed (4) is of a bubbling type.

17. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that bed has a height (h) which is between about 2 and 6 m.

18. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recirculating channel (23) has an orifice in the bed (4) of the combustion chamber (1), preferably beneath a tube arrangement (22) arranged for heating of water and/or superheating of steam and provided in the bed (4) .

19. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating member (9) is provided in the combustion chamber (1) .

20. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating member comprises a cyclone separator (9) .

21. A combustion plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means (5, 15, 19) for feeding oxygen-containing gas to the bed (4) comprise nozzles (5) provided beneath the bed (4) and are arranged to supply the oxygen-containing gas in such manner that a fluidizing velocity of about 0,5 - 2,0 m/s is obtained.

22. A method of combustion in a combustion chamber enclosing a pressurized fluidized bed, comprising the steps of:

- feeding an oxygen-containing gas to the bed from beneath;

- supplying a fuel to the bed;

- collecting combustion gases formed during the combustion; - separating solid material from said combustion gases; and recirculating the solid material separated to the combustion chamber, characterized in that the material separated is supplied to a channel in such a manner that a column of material is formed therein and that the column of material merely due to its weight recirculates the material in a continuos flow through a passage having a constant opening area and being provided in the lower portion of the channel.

23. A method according to claim 22, characterized in that the height of the column of material so formed exceeds the height of the bed.

24. A method according to any one of claims 21 and 22, characterized in that the gas from beneath is prevented from entering the channel.