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Boiler Operations That Affect Efficiency (Part 1)

Fuel is a major cost in boiler operation. It is therefore important to minimize fuel consumption and maximize steam production. Although a boiler’s efficiency is primarily a result of its design, the operator can maintain or significantly improve efficiency by controlling losses to the stack and losses to the ash pit.

A Numerical Modeling Example – Sorbent Injection Systems

To minimize the amount of sorbent used, it must be injected into the flue with a properly engineered lance that effectively disperses it into the gas, and the flow conditions in the flue must be sufficient for the particles to stay suspended for the required residence time to complete the desired absorption.

Engineered Approaches in Construction, and Construction Methods

Modern construction methods include modularized components that are erected on short timetables. To reduce construction and shipping costs, leaner designs of support steel components have become the norm. As a result, the calculation of imposed erection loads has become even more critical.

The Importance of Boiler Water and Steam Chemistry

To maintain boiler integrity and performance and to provide steam of suitable turbine or process purity, boiler feedwater must be purified and chemically conditioned. The amount and nature of feedwater impurities that can be accommodated depend on boiler operating pressure, boiler design, steam purity requirements, type of boiler water internal treatment, blowdown rate, and whether the feedwater is used for steam attemperation.

15 Power Plant Safety Tips

B&W values the health and safety of each employee and will never be satisfied until the workplace is free of accidents and injuries. Our focus on safety extends to our customers, contractors, suppliers, and all those who we interact with, whether on a job site, in a manufacturing facility, or even in an office setting.

Construction Project Controls Primer

Cost management software is used to integrate cost collection, time charging, expense reporting, work breakdown structure, procurement management, material receipt, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revenue recognition, and standard and custom report generation.

A Numerical Modeling Example – Kraft Recovery Boilers

Good air jet penetration and effective mixing of secondary and tertiary air are desirable for complete combustion and reduced emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide. Distribution of air to three or more air injection levels produces fuel-rich conditions in the lower furnace that are desirable for smelt reduction and reduced NOx emissions.

Absorber Gas-Liquid Contact Devices

Wall rings improve SO2 collection efficiency by reducing the gas bypass in an open spray tower which results from the tendency of the flue gas to hug the walls of the absorber. Wall rings also push out the slurry that runs down from the walls back into the gas stream, improving the contact between the slurry and flue gas.

Upgrades to Existing Wet FGD Systems to Improve Performance, Reduce Operating and Maintenance Costs and Improve Reliability

Upgrading an existing wet FGD system may be an effective way to improve SO2 removal, allow the use of lower cost higher sulfur coals, reduce power consumption, allow for the use of an alternate, lower-cost reagent, and improve the reliability of the system while reducing the operating and maintenance costs.

Boiler Cycling Considerations

Cycling operation can shorten the life span of such equipment based on number and duration of cycles. A thorough condition assessment program can determine potential equipment modifications that can make the unit more flexible and alleviate possible problem areas.

Part I - Specifying a Steam Generator

The basic design is derived from the functional requirements of the application. The equipment designer needs to know the key characteristics of all major system inputs and all performance output requirements. This information is essential for setting vital system design parameters such as size, capacity, materials, equipment redundancy level, etc.

CO Boilers for the Hydrocarbon Processing Industry

Changes in FCCU catalyst and in process conditions have permitted reductions in the CO content of the gases leaving the unit. These changes also result in the gas temperature to the CO boiler increasing from the 1000F (538C) level to as high as 1450F (788C). New heat recovery boilers on FCC units are designed for these new process conditions.

B&W wrote the book on steam... literally

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This collection of articles and readings includes primers, how-to articles, technical tips, and other informational pieces which we think you’ll find useful.

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