Incentives of Sootblowing

Abstract

The major theme of this paper is to emphasize the need and identify the measures necessary to maintain boiler or heater tube surfaces in a reasonably clean condition in order to attain the maximum possible overall system efficiency. Many factors, including some commonly overlooked, must be considered in arriving at an effective and adequate cleaning system. Also to be covered is a review of the wide variety of available soot blowers. These vary according to the type of surface arrangement that is to be cleaned and the energy level that is necessary to effectively remove the deposits involved. Attention is also given to the various control systems required and available for the soot blower according to sequence versatility and blowing interval variability. Finally, the "payback" from soot blowing is a matter of comparing the costs connected with soot blowing and the gain in boiler efficiency. The costs normally associated with soot blowers are capital investment, maintenance, and blowing medium consumed. But savings can be realized without a decrease in blowing effectiveness, for example, by increasing blower travel speeds, reducing blowing cycle time, and updating older equipment. Payback can also be measured in terms of reduced boiler exit gas temperature and the resultant gain in boiler efficiency.