http://www.coalpowermag.com COAL POWER en-us 2010 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 0:26:34 EST The loading and discharge of conveyor belts is the area where many, if not most, of the problems in solids conveying occur. Fortunately, a new technology provides chutes to accomplish conveyor loading and discharge without blockages while minimizing the dust generated: engineered-flow transfer chutes.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/242.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 0:00:00 EST Operating a boiler is not difficult, but operating a boiler safely and efficiently requires skill and proper training. Following boiler operation best practices will keep your equipment in like-new condition for years to come. This game plan includes a compendium of best practices, with web links to a number of additional key resources you should be famililar with.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/244.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 0:00:00 EST The Energy Information Administraion has predicted that, as the economy gathers steam this year, rising demand for gasoline, crude oil, coal, and natural gas is expected to push up energy prices, aided by a projected boost in crude oil production.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/247.html Tue, 16 Feb 2010 0:00:00 EST There are four approaches to measuring fly ash content and, therefore, the quality of fuel combustion in a boiler. Before choosing one, you should understand their relative levels of complexity and accuracy.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/233.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 0:00:00 EST Erosion can significantly reduce the operational life of boiler components. Abrasion-resistant ceramic parts can be a sound alternative to expensive metallic parts when replacing boiler components.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/235.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 0:00:00 EST When the Łagisza power plant began commercial operation in late June 2009, it marked the beginning of a new era in the evolution of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology. At the heart of this 460-MW plant is the world’s largest CFB boiler, which is also the world’s first once-through unit supercritical CFB boiler.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/237.html Thu, 10 Dec 2009 0:00:00 EST The decision to retube a heat exchanger or condenser begins with understanding why tubes are failing. Only when the “why” is understood can the economic replacement tube material be selected. We explore the most common tube material failure mechanisms and then illustrate how to perform a proper life-cycle analysis for that new set of condenser tubes your plant so desperately needs. In sum, there are many reasons to consider getting the copper out of your condenser.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/219.html Thu, 8 Oct 2009 0:00:00 EDT Can wind turbines actually reduce the amount of fossil fuels consumed? A Wall Street Journal analysis concludes that ERCOT utilities will begin to feel the squeeze in their profits this year and to expect the amount of fossil fuels used to generate electricity to be reduced.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/223.html Thu, 8 Oct 2009 0:00:00 EDT Coal-fired power plants that fire low-cost coals or that are equipped with combustion modifications for NOx controls are challenged with maintaining good combustion conditions while maximizing generation and minimizing emissions. In many cases, significant unit derates, availability losses, and an increase in unburned carbon levels can be attributed to poor combustion conditions that occur as a result of poorly controlled local air/fuel distribution within the boiler furnace. Fortunately, a new generation of combustion optimization technologies is available that uses burner air and fuel controls and spatially distributed combustion monitors to detect and correct local furnace air/fuel distribution imbalances.... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/226.html Thu, 8 Oct 2009 0:00:00 EDT The New Source Review (NSR) permitting program was originally created as part of the 1977 Clean Air Act Amendments to ensure that new power generation facilities were properly outfitted with all the necessary air quality control systems when constructed. Plants in operation were exempt until they made plant modifications viewed as beyond “routine maintenance,” a term whose definition has been a moving target. Is it time for the NSR to take a back seat to improved plant efficiency and reduced carbon emissions?... http://www.coalpowermag.com/ops_and_maintenance/210.html Mon, 3 Aug 2009 0:00:00 EDT