Heat Rate Optimization

The objective of this videotape is to present the factors affecting boiler efficiency so as to increase the operator’s awareness and effectiveness. The corrective operator actions are dealt with in the videotape HRO-4.

On completion of this videotape and the associated workbook exercises the operator should be able to understand:

• Boiler efficiency.
• The effects of variation in fuel composition on boiler efficiency.
• Boiler efficiency losses associated with high and low excess air.
• The affect of coal fineness on the completeness of combustion.
• Variations in steam temperature as a function of load.
• The affect of air heaters and combustion air temperature on exit gas temperature.
• How final feedwater temperature can change the required boiler heat input.
• How air in-leakage occurs and what it might do to excess air levels.
• The problems of fireside deposits and waterside deposits.
• The significance of exit gas temperature on boiler efficiency.
• The significance of internal scaling of boiler tubes.
• The effect of silica in boiler water.