Presented to the: Philippine Coal Plant Users Group 21st Technical Forum
May 23-24, 2019
Quezon City, Philippines

S.W. Borsani - Babcock & Wilcox - Barberton, Ohio, USA

P.W. Nesbitt - Babcock & Wilcox - Barberton, Ohio, USA

J.L. Remus - Babcock & Wilcox - Barberton, Ohio, USA

S. Chayarat - IRPC Public Company Limited - Rayong, Thailand

ABSTRACT

There are many circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) steam generators currently in operation around the world for both industrial and utility applications. CFB steam generators feature a popular combustion technology that can utilize a wide range of fuels, produce low levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) compared to other combustion technologies, and capture most or all the required sulfur utilizing only limestone or other locally available low-cost sorbent added directly into the furnace. Although the CFB steam generator design and technology enhancements that have evolved over time have primarily focused on improved reliability and lower maintenance costs, there remains a significant number of CFB steam generator installations that still utilize inferior designs and operate with low reliability or significant maintenance costs. Many of the enhanced features being utilized on new CFB steam generators can be retrofitted onto existing CFB steam generators. The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) successfully completed such a retrofit of an existing CFB steam generator at the IRPC Petrochemical Complex located in Rayong, Thailand. This paper will discuss the issues the unit was experiencing prior to the retrofit project and the enhancements that were added to improve the performance and reliability, as well as to reduce the maintenance costs, of the CFB steam generator.