As the backbone of the industrial world, the power industry is constantly faced with challenges that include increasing environmental regulations, a continuous aging infrastructure and pressure for new and evolving electric demands.
Often, power providers are leveraging time-tested combustion techniques to generate steam to drive a turbine and produce electric power. The key to safety, fuel efficiency, and cost-effectiveness within these applications is to control the ratio of air-to-fuel by measuring residual oxygen (O₂) and combustibles (CO+H₂) after combustion.
There are a wide range of solutions for combustion optimization and control across the power generation industry- including coal, natural gas, and biofuel- that reduce operational costs, increase safety, and minimize polluting gases. Some things that operators need to consider when choosing the right analyzer for their application are:
Power Plant Safety
- Some key considerations include continuous, low maintenance operation, advanced digital communications for remote operation, rapid response to changing boiler conditions, measurement of unburned hydrocarbons or leaks to prevent explosion levels.
Coal Fired Power Generation
- Key considerations include a need for multiple analyzers, optimized fuel consumption, a reduction of harmful emissions, elimination of safety hazards, and efficient heat transfer through an optimized air-to-fuel ratio.
Natural Gas Fired Power Generation
- A few key considerations include maximizing heat production while minimizing fuel consumption, maximizing thermal efficiency and heat delivery, and minimizing stack emissions.
Biofuel Power Generation
- Key considerations include optimizing fuel consumption, reducing harmful emissions, eliminating safety hazards, ensuring efficient heat transfer by optimizing air-to-fuel ratio, maximizing heat production while minimizing fuel consumption, maximizing thermal efficiency and heat delivery, and minimizing stack emissions. The presence of high-particulate-producing fuels and the production of ash and soot should also be considered.
Emissions Monitoring
- Some key considerations include a need to monitor a variety of pollutant gases and continuous and accurate measurements. These are essential to maintain regulatory compliance.
For more information click here to view our Power Generation Solutions brochure.