Introduction:
Coal-fired power plants are widely used for electricity generation around the world. India is one of the leading producers and users of coal for power generation. In India, the majority of coal-fired power plant boilers use pulverized fuel combustion.

Pulverized Fuel Combustion:
Pulverized fuel combustion is a combustion technology used in coal-fired power plants. In this process, coal is ground into a fine powder and then injected into the combustion chamber of the boiler. The coal particles are suspended in a stream of air, which allows for efficient and complete combustion.

Advantages of Pulverized Fuel Combustion:
1. High efficiency: Pulverized fuel combustion allows for efficient combustion of coal, resulting in high thermal efficiency of the boiler.
2. Complete combustion: The fine particles of coal are evenly distributed throughout the combustion chamber, ensuring complete combustion and minimizing the formation of pollutants.
3. Flexibility: Pulverized fuel combustion systems can easily switch between different types of coal and even use a combination of coal and biomass as fuel.
4. High power output: The combustion of pulverized coal produces a high heat release rate, which translates to a higher power output from the boiler.

Other Combustion Technologies:
While pulverized fuel combustion is the most commonly used technology in India, there are other combustion technologies that can be used in coal-fired power plants. These include:
1. Fluidized bed combustion: In this process, coal is burned in a bed of inert material, such as sand, at a high temperature. This technology is often used for low-grade coal and has the advantage of lower emissions.
2. Circulating fluidized bed combustion: This is an advanced version of fluidized bed combustion, where a higher velocity of air is used to suspend the coal particles. This technology allows for greater fuel flexibility and lower emissions.
3. Moving stoker firing system: This system involves the use of a moving grate to transport the coal through the combustion chamber. It is commonly used for small-scale power plants or industrial boilers.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, coal-fired power plant boilers manufactured in India generally use pulverized fuel combustion. This technology offers high efficiency, complete combustion, and flexibility in fuel choice. While other combustion technologies exist, they are less commonly used in India's coal-fired power plants.