An Inexact Fuzzy Programming Approach for Power Coal Blending

Abstract

In this paper, an inexact fuzzy coal blending model (IFCBM) was proposed for supporting the planning of coal blending process with the consideration of national standard for coals in burning boilers. This method integrated interval linear programming (ILP) and fuzzy linear programming (FLP) into a general framework, which could tackle the uncertainties expressed as interval numbers and fuzzy sets. Then the developed approach was applied to a case study of power coal blending management model, considering the environmental constraints for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission and nitrogen oxide decomposition (De-NOx) process in power generation facilities. The generated decision alternatives could help decision makers identify the optimal power coal blending schemes under four pollutants removal policy scenarios, reflecting the tradeoffs between socio-economic and environmental benefits under desirable system reliability.

Keywords: power coal blending, air pollution emissions, interval fuzzy programming, scenario analysis, decision making, uncertainty