Coal Flow Monitoring and Balancing Systems

These two new methods for monitoring and balancing coal flow systems for power generation applications provide burner optimization to control nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. The systems also help increase fuel efficiencies and reduce maintenance costs. By accurately monitoring and balancing coal flows, pulverized coal-fired power generation plants can effectively reduce excess air, thus increasing flame stability in the burners and establishing uniform superheater temperature profiles.

An automatic, online monitoring and control system utilizes two microwave sensors mounted in each coal pipe that continuously relay coal-flow data to a main control module for analysis. When an imbalance is detected, signals to the dampers automatically balance the flow. Testing has determined that this system is capable of balancing average coal flows to within ±5% of mean flow.

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