An optimisation strategy using probabilistic and heuristic input data for fuel feeding boilers with regard to the trading effects of CO2 allowances

•The article presents an optimization method for a strategy for fuel feeding in CHP boilers.•A detailed analysis has been conducted on an exemplary CHP that is equipped with multifuel steam boilers.•In the optimization performed, the input data of had a heuristic, probabilistic nature, and constant data have been used.

This paper presents an optimisation method for a strategy for fuel feeding in combined heat and power plant boilers with regard to the trading effects of CO2 allowances. A detailed analysis has been conducted on an exemplary (combined heat and power plant) CHP that is equipped with OPG-230 multifuel steam boilers adapted for metallurgical fuel gases. The CHP cooperates with a steelworks nearby. A special feature of the CHP activity is the consumption of large quantities of gases that are generated as byproducts in the production of pig iron (blast-furnace gas), steel (converter gas in the steelworks) and coke (coke-oven gas at the nearby coke ovens). These gases are co-incinerated with coal at the CHP. In the optimisation performed, the input data had a heuristic, probabilistic nature, and constant (averaged) data have been used.