Page 159 - Boiler plant and distribution system optimization manual
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144 Boiler Plant and Distribution System Optimization Manual
There is a lot to lose here, someone should be ed with carbon or the glass is broken or someone
keeping a check on what is going out the stack. bricks over the viewing ports during repair activ-
ities. These ports are a very good troubleshooting
tool, if something goes wrong it can usually be
6. INSTALL AN OPACITY MONITOR seen during observation of the flame and burner
FOR OIL AND COAL FIRED UNITS components. Actually it is a good idea to take pic-
(SMOKE IS UNBURNED FUEL) tures or make sketches so you have something to
refer to as a comparison.
Oil and coal plants usually have opacity
monitors but if you have an interruptible gas sup-
ply contract you need to know if the plant begins 8. INSTALL FUEL COST INDICATOR ON
to smoke when it has to switch back to oil. Staff EACH BOILER FRONT (I.E.-$/YEAR)
is often reduced with gas operations, and the op-
Boilers operate on a 24/7 basis consuming
erators are not used to checking to see if the stack
great quantities of expensive fuel. Many people do
is clear. This is particularly important during the
not realize this and do not assign much importance
fuel switch when people are performing an unfa-
to the amount of money spent on fuel. Company
miliar tasks and are prone to make mistakes.
officers work very hard to make a profit which
boilers can nullify with their inefficiencies.
One solution to this lack of recognition of the
money that boilers can gobble up is to install a
meter that indicates the dollars’ worth of fuel the
boiler has used during the past year. The numbers
might be a surprise to everyone and attract help
in creating some higher efficiency.
9. MAINTAIN CALIBRATION FOR
STEAM FLOW METERS
Your steam flow meters tell you where the
money is going. Would you allow the cash regis-
ters to be inaccurate?
Figure 10.38—you need to know when you are smok-
ing, its unburned fuel. Many regulatory agencies
have maximum opacity limits and levy fines for 10. INSURE MAKE-UP WATER METER
smoking. An opacity monitor can keep a plant out IS WORKING AND ACCURATE
of trouble. They were once standard equipment on
all boilers. If you spring a steam leak, a water leak or
other serious problem with the distribution sys-
tem, this meter will tell you right away.
7. MONITOR FLAME CONDITIONS BY
VISUAL CHECKS THROUGH 11. INSURE CONDENSATE LINE THERMO-
VIEWING PORTS METERS ARE IN PLACE AND ACCURATE
When you can’t see things they become a If steam traps have failed or if the piping
mystery. Boiler manufacturers usually design system has flooded the temperature of the return-
viewing ports into standard boiler construction. ing condensate will change indicating a problem
However, as time passes, the glass becomes coat- needs fixing.
