Track: Graduate Student Paper Competition

Abstract

Soot blowers are often neglected aspects of the boiler operation in a coal power plant whereas they have a significant impact on the financial bottom line as they improve the efficiency of the boiler. Soot deposits are hard to manage if they are left unattended as they form a thick insulating layer, which reduced the efficiency of the boiler. It increases the loss of energy due to high temperature of the exhaust gasses, as well as emissions.

Sasol has a power station at Secunda, South Africa. Sasol uses soot blowers as means of cleaning the boiler during operation which are operated manually. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the soot blowers of the boilers and determine their strengths and limitations as well as the areas that need improving. The paper focuses mostly on the steam soot blowers and comparing it to the acoustic soot blowers.

A literature review was done to highlight the key features of the different types of soot blowers. Tests  on the  existing concept was done leading to a new model to be introduced to improve efficiency. The final concept was created and modelled via simulations.