interview q and ans for tharmal power plant
DESCRIPTION
Q AND ANS FOR THERMAL POWER PLANT SHIFT ENGINEERTRANSCRIPT
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Q. How to calculate heat rate?
Station heat rate = Specific fuel consumption * Calorific value of fuel
Turbine heat rate = (Main steam flow * Main steam enthalpy + Aux Steam flow * Aux steam
enthalpy - Feed water flow * Feed water enthalpy + Makeup water flow* Makeup water
enthalpy)/Power generationUnit of Heat rate is kcal/kWh, kJ/kWh,Mcal/MWh, MJ/MWh,
Turbine efficiency = 1/ turbine heat rate for Kcal/KWh is 860/ turbine heat rate
For kJ/kWh is 3600/turbine heat rate
Station efficiency = 1/ station heat rate for Kcal/KWh is 860/ station heat rate
For kJ/kWh is 3600/station heat rate
Heat rate is important. Changes in heat rate can indicate problems in unitproblems may
include instrument calibration drift, gas path fouling or foreign object damage (FOD). Although,
in most cases, performance losses due to FOD are noticeable without getting out the calculator.
There are only three numbers that go into the heat rate calculation, so it should be simple, right?
But, when you look at those three numbers a little closer, several questions can come up.
First, the calculation:
Heat Rate = Fuel Flow * Fuel Heating Value / Power Output
A heat balance helps us to identify avoidable and unavoidable heat losses.
Boiler efficiency tests help us to find out the deviation of boiler efficiency from the best
efficiency and target problem area for corrective action. The combustion process in a boiler can
be described in the form of an energy flow diagram.
The performance parameters of a boiler, like efficiency and evaporation ratio, reduces with time
due to poor combustion, heat transfer surface fouling and poor operation and maintenance.
Even for a new boiler, reasons such as deteriorating fuel quality and water quality can result in
poor boiler performance.
We will now discuss heat balance and boiler efficiency, which are important in assessing the
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boiler performance:
A heat balance helps us to identify avoidable and unavoidable heat losses.
Boiler efficiency tests help us to find out the deviation of boiler efficiency from the best
efficiency and target problem area for corrective action.
The goal of a Cleaner Production and/or energy assessment must be to reduce the avoidable
losses, i.e. to improve energy efficiency. The following losses can be avoided or reduced:
Stack gas losses: Excess air (reduce to the necessary minimum which depends from burner
technology, operation, operation (i.e. control) and maintenance) and Stack gas temperature
(reduce by optimizing maintenance (cleaning), load; better burner and boiler technology).
Losses by unburnt fuel in stack and ash (optimize operation and maintenance; better
technology of burner).
Blow down losses (treat fresh feed water, recycle condensate)
Condensate losses (recover the largest possible amount of condensate)
Convection and radiation losses (reduced by better insulation of the boiler).
Boiler efficiency direct metnodThe parameters to be monitored for the calculation of boiler
efficiency through the direct method are: Quantity of steam generated per hour; the quantity of
fuel used per hour; the working pressure and superheat temperature if any; the temperature of
feed water; the type of fuel and gross calorific value, GVC, of the fuel.
hg=the enthalpy of saturated steam in kcal/kg of steam
hf= the enthalpy of feed water in kcal/kg of water
Bo iler efficiency ind irect metho d-------
The data that is required to calculate boiler efficiency according to the indirect method include:Ultimate analysis of fuel in terms of H2, O2, S, C, moisture content and ash content.
Percentage of oxygen or CO2 in the flue gas; flue gas temperature; ambient temperature and
humidity of air; as well as GCV of fuel. In case of solid fuels, the percentage combustible in ash
and GCV of ash.
Q. What are the engineering units on these values?
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In the US, Heat Rate is most often shown in Btu/kWh. Fuel Flow can be in a number of
different units, the most common being KPPH (thousands of pounds per hour), PPS (pounds
per second) or SCFM (standard cubic feet per minute). Fuel Heating Value might be provided
in Btu/SCF or Btu/lb. Power Output is nearly always in either kW or MW.
For places outside the US, Heat Rate is most often shown in kJ/kWh. Fuel Flow might bereported in m3/hr (standard cubic meters per hour) or kg/hr. Fuel Heating Value may be in
GJ/kg, or GJ/m3. Power Output is still in either kW or MW.
Q.Steam Turbine Exhaust Hood Temperature
A) High exhaust temperature is the result of followings
Excessive wear on impulse wheelIneicient tip sealing arrangementHigh inlet steam temperature.
B) The Heat Drop from the Steam, is very less due to very low load. Hence the temperature ofsteam flowing through the turbine is higher and hence the hood is having more temperature,
wich in turn depends upon the surface radiation level also.
C) There is no single value for a minimum acceptable exhaust temperature. Steam temperature,
pressure and flow rate are all very much related. So, even the manufacturer has to know the
rest of the parameters in you operating case/mode to tell you the acceptable exhaust
temperature. The more pressure drops from the inlet, the more temperature drop from the inlet.
The temperature should be above the saturation curve to avoid condensation; especially in the
turbine is design to runs against a back pressure.
Heat will then accumulate in the condenser at almost atmospheric condition or just to the limitsto avoid a trip on poor vacuum on the condenser. This already in most power plants is a
problem. After a unit trips the temperature will continue to increase in the machine and this will
show-up at the back-end of the machine.
Also some warm-up drains in our machine with super heated steam are redirected to the
condenser so this just compounds the back-end temperature problems.
Why steam turbine exhaust temperature rise during start up?The air passes through an adiabatic compression, when it's volume shrinks, it's temperature
rises.
During low steam flow condition, the velocity and density of the steam is greatly reduced. Thisproduces 2 effects:
First, windage losses increase. Windage is essentially friction which occurs when the turbineblades contact the near-stationary steam. The windage losses cause heating of the blades inthe last few stages of the turbine.
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Second, there is insufficient steam to absorb the heat from the blades. During higher flowconditions, the steam provides a cooling medium for the blades. That heat is carried by thesteam into the condenser. The lower density and lower mass flow rate of the steam results inless heat transfer capacity. The temperature in the exhaust hood rises as less heat is removedto the condenser and more stays in the hood area.
Q.How to Determine Calorific Value Fuel?
Calorific value is the amount of heat energy released by burning one kg of a fuel.For example if the calorific value of a particular quality coal is given as 4500 Kcals/kg, it impliesby burning 1kg of coal 4500 Kcalories of heat energy is released.The more the ash content in the coal the lesser is the calorific value.Fuels like bio gas, firewood,rice husk etc. will have different calorific values
Q.Turbine SOP
1. Ensure the oil Tank level is 90%2. Start Auxiliary cooling water pumps and ensure water flows through Oil coolers and
Generators3. Vent the oil Coolers and Generator water box4. Keep running oil cooler inlet and outlet valves in throttled condition5. Start the Auxiliary oil Pump and vent the Oil Cooler and Filters.6. Check the AOP and EOP auto start interlock.7. Ensure Standby AOP and EOP in Auto Mode..8. Start the Vapor extractor Fan ( Ensure the oil tank level is not high)9. Ensure the Overhead tank Overflow thro Flow Glass and High level Switch actuation.10. Ensure the oil temperature is >42Deg C11. Ensure the oil flow and pressure to all the bearings12. Start Barring Gear Motor Locally and check for normal running13. Open the main steam line warm-up and drain line.14. Start Condensate extraction pumps and keep in re-circulation mode.15. Ensure CEP discharge flows through Ejector and Gland Seal Condenser.16. Open the following steam Drains.Turbine Casing Drain orifice bypass and main valveTurbine Control valve Drain orifice bypass and main valveLP bleed before ON /OFF valve drain orifice bypass and main valveMP bleed before ON/OFF valve drain orifice bypass and main valveFront and rear gland leak off steam drainsDrains before and after PRDS valves17. Ensure the Auxiliary steam pressure from PRS as per manual for cold startup.18. Maintain the front gland steam pressure 0.02 to 0.1 Kg/cm2 by PCV or available system in
maral.
19. Maintain the rear gland steam temperature as 160180 Deg C or as per manual.20. Ensure the Vacuum release valve is fully closed21. Achieve the vacuum of >-0.750 kg/cm2 by Hogger Ejector.22. Open the main steam stop valve gradually23. Ensure the main steam ParametersMain steam Pressure at Turbine Inlet = >as per manual (maral)Main steam Temperature at Turbine Inlet = >as per manual24. Ensure the Lube oil temperature before TG startup >45 Deg C
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25. Check the Turbine Trip Logic Screen in DCS for any trip except Shutdown command fromGovernor Ensure the Following before Giving reset Command:
EOP ready and Kept in Auto ModeOverhead oil tank Overflow thro Flow glassOverhead oil tank Level highBoiler and Turbine Main steam stop valves fully opened.
26. Check the Emergency push button status Turbine Control Panel.27. Give reset command in DCS and ESV opens automatically .28. Give Start permissive and Run Command from Turbine Control Panel.29. Ensure the Turbine Startup is Accordance to the Start up Curves.30. During Speed up the Following parameters to be carefully monitored.
Barring Gear Dis engage.
Lube Oil Temperature (Must be between 4550 Deg C).
Vibrations
Bearing Temperatures.
Bearing inlet oil pressure.
Main steam parameters.
Exhaust steam Parameters. Lube oil System Operation
Abnormal noise.If any abnormality found in any of above, machine speed / runup should be holded or tripped.
31. At full Rpm switch off AOP and put in Auto Mode..32. The following drains shall be closed after reaching to the rated speedTurbine Casing Drain orifice bypass valve onlyTurbine Control valve Drain orifice bypass valve onlyWarm up line.
All drain main valve should be always in Open Condition.
42. If the TG set is running smoothly, excite the Generator and Synchronize with the grid andthereafter load the machine.43. Load the Turbine firstly to 2.0 MW or 10% and check all the parameters.44. Gradually increase the load from Governor according to the loading Curve.45. Loading of the TG set.Cold Start up Sync to Full Load = 104 minWarm Start up Sync to Full Load = 50 minHot Start up - Sync to Full Load = 20 min46. During normal run, you must log all the operating parameters every hour and significant
values in the logbook.
Procedure for Turbine Shutdown / During Turbine Trip:
Whenever turbine trips, immediately open the main steam warm up line and drain. Ensure AOP cut-in during Coasting down Period. Open all the Flash Tank Drains. Please establish the reason for tripping before restarting.
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For Long Shutdown period following Procedure to be followed:
Machine should be on Barring Gear till 72 Hours. CEP shall be kept running till the Turbine Exhaust temperature Reaches to > 40 Deg. Auxiliary cooling water Pumps and Fans shall be kept running till the DT of condenser inlet /
Outlet water comes to < 2 Deg C.
Procedure for charging Extraction Steam: Ensure Extraction line drain to flash tank is kept open condition Ensure LP extraction line to header valve is in fully open condition. Ensure Turbine load > 5 MW or as per maral turbine sop. Open all line drains upto LP header. Open the ON / OFF valve. Press F3 and enable extraction control. Ensure the set Pressure as per manual. After reaching extraction line temperature 200 Deg C close drain to flash tankonly orifice
bypass valve. Gradually increase the load if extraction demand increases.
Procedure for charging MP Bleed steam:
Ensure MP bleed line drain to flash tank is kept open condition Ensure MP extraction line to header valve is in fully open condition. Ensure Turbine load > as per maral turbine sop. . Open all line drains upto MP header. Maintain the Open the ON / OFF valve. After reaching extraction line temperature 200 Deg C close drain to flash tankonly orifice
bypass valve. Gradually increase the load if extraction demand increases.
MAINTAINED PARAMETERS AS PER MARAL TURBINE MANAUL
Q.C.V OF FUEL (COAL)
The calorific value or heat of combustion or heating value of a sample of fuel is defined as the
amount of heat evolved when a unit weight (or volume in the case of a sample of gaseous fuels)
of the fuel is completely burnt and the products of combustion cooled to a standard temperature
of 298 degree K.
It is usually expressed in Gross Calorific Value (GCV) or Higher Heating Value (HHV) and Net
Calorific Value (NCV) or Lower Calorific Value (LHV). The difference being the latent heat of
condensation of the water vapor produced during the combustion process. Gross calorific value
assumes all vapor produced during the combustion process is fully condensed. Net calorific
value assumes the water leaves with the combustion products without fully being condensed.
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Fuels should be compared based on the net calorific value. The calorific value of coal varies
considerably depending on the ash, moisture content and the type of coal while calorific value of
fuel oils are much more consistent.
Energy content of the Indian Coal is expressed in Useful Heating Value (UHV) basis. Indian
coal (non-coking) is classified by grades (A-G) defined on the basis of Useful Heat Value (UHV).UHV is an expression derived from ash and moisture contents for non-cocking coals as per the
Government of India notification. UHV is defined by the formula:
UHV kcal/kg = (8900-138[percentage of ash content +percentage of moisture content])
In the case of coal having moisture less than 2% and volatile content less than 19%, the UHV
shall be the value arrived as above, reduced by 150 kcal/kg for each 1% reduction in volatile
content below 19% fraction pro-rata. Both moisture and ash shall be determined after
equilibrating at 60% relative humidity and 40C temperature as per relevant clauses of the
Indian Standard Specification No. IS:1350-1959.
The quality of coal depends upon its rank and grade. The coal rank arranged in an ascending
order of carbon contents is Lignite sub-bituminous coal bituminous coal anthracite
Chemical composition of the coal is defined in terms of its proximate and ultimate (elemental)
analysis. The parameters of proximate analysis are moisture, volatile matter, ash, and fixed
carbon. Elemental or Ultimate analysis encompasses the quantitative determination of carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen. The calorific value Q, of coal is the heat liberated by its
complete combustion with oxygen. Q is a complex function of the elemental composition of the
coal. Gross Calorific value Q is mostly determined by experimental measurements. A close
estimate can be made with the Dulong formula:
Q = (144.4 %[C])+(610.2 %[H])-(65.9 %[O])+(0.39 %[O]2)
Q is given in kcal/kg or Btu/lb.
Values of the elements C,H, and O, are calculated on a dry ash-free coal basis. Empirical
Relationship of GCV, UHV, and NCV UHV:
Useful heat value = 8900 138(A+M)
GCV: Gross Calorific Value = (UHV + 3645 -75.4 M)/1.466NCV: Net Calorific Value = GCV
10.02M
UHV, GCV, NCV in kcal/kg, A is %age Ash; M is %age Moisture.
Q. AFBC SOP
Cold startup .pre-startup inspections
Pror to the start up, the following plant system and services should be available.
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Operating staff, clearance from maintenance group, electrical power , control power and
system, air compressor for instrumentation air, dm plant for dm water,feed water system
including feed water pumps, deaerator and control valve , cooling water system, chemical
dosing system, coal feeding, bed material feeding system, emission control system air and gas
side clearance, ect
Before going to startup following things are to be checked
Air and gas circuit
ID FANS
INLET DAMPERS (MOTORIZED) CLOSED
OUTLET DAMPER (MOTORIZED) OPENED
ID FAN INLET CONTROL DAMPER (PNEUMATIC) MINIMUM POSITION
FD FANS
INLET VANES ( PNEUMATIC) MINIMUM POSITION
FD O/L DAMPERS-CLOSED
AIR HEATER BYPASS DUCT ISOLATION DAMPER- OPENED
AIR HEATER INLET DUCT ISOLATION DAMPER-CLOSED
ALL THE BED COMPARTMENT ISOLATION DAMPERS- CLOSED
PA FANS
INLET VANES-CLOSED
PA O/L DAMPERS-CLOSED
PA AIR TO FUEL FEED LINE DAMPERSALL CLOSED
PA AIR TO INDIVIDUAL FUEL FEED LINE DAMPERSOPENED
ESP
FREE FROM MAN AND FOREIGN MATERIAL
ESP HOPPERS ARE FREE FROM FLY ASH
ENSURE THE EXP MAN HOLE DOORS ARE TIGHTLY CLOSED
CHIMNEY
IS FREE FROM MEN AND FOREIGN MATERIAL
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MAN HOLE DOOR IS CLOSED
FUEL HANDLING SYSTEM
CHECK AND ENSURE THE AVAILABILITY OF DRY FUEL OF RECOMMENDED SIZE IN THE
BUNKER,DRIVES AND CONTROL SYSTEM ARE READY FOR SERVICE, HORIZONTAL
AND VERTIEAL FUEL FEED LINES ARE CLEAR.
START UP BURNERS
BMS IS READY FOR SERVICE
COMBUSTOR
RECOMMENDED SIZE BED MATERIAL FILLING INTO THE COMBUSTOR
FUEL FEED LINE VERTICAL DRAINS ARE CLOSED PROPERLY
FILL THE COMPUSTOR WITH THE SPECIFIED DRY BED MATERIAL AS PER BEDMATERIAL FILLING PROCEDURE TO HE REQUIRED LEVEL IN ALL THE
COMPARTMENTS.
D.P TEST
Before going to bed material filling, we must know the cleanliness of bubble caps, the
fluidization depends on this aspect, hence for checking bubble caps cleanliness, we have
conduct DP test ( differential pressure test on the boiler)
Closed all PA line bottom gates, close all PA line individual dampers as well as compartment
main PA header dampers. Close all overfeed secondary air dampers.
Start ID fan first and boiler furnace draft nearly about -5mmwc
Then check for interlock release in FD fan individual display on ID fan path open. Before starting
FD fans ensure that, all individual compartment secondary air wind box dampers are in shut or
close position.
Start FD fan slowly increase the airflow by adjusting inlet guide vane opening, while doing this
furnace draft is to be maintained nearly about -5 mmwc
For a boiler having a total air requirement of 125 TPH for carrying out DP test required air flow
need to be maintained. For example boiler is having 5 compartments.
Normally, out of the total air requirement, about 30% of air will be pressurized PA fans and this
air is used to convey the coal through PA lines which means 70% of total air requirement will
pass through wind box.
Primary air quantity= 30% of total air ( 37.5 TPH)
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Air passing through wind box=(Total airprimary air) =87.5 TPH
INDIVIDUAL COMPARTMENT AIR REQ=87.5/5=17.5 TPH
So adjust the air flow near about 20 TPH and open first compartment damper (furnace draft -
5mmwc) and than take the first compartment wind box pressure reading. After noting down the
reading close the first compartment damper then open the second compartment wind box
damper and note down the wind box reading continued for all five compartment.
Then increase the airflow to 87.5 TPH and open all five compartment windbox dampers, note
down wind box pressure readings
After DP test we can ensure the cleanness of bubble caps.after that note down the wind box
pressure reading at 100 TPH air flow keeping all the compartment dampers in open condition.
The same quantity of air flow should be maintained through-out filling time and start filling of bed
material into furnace.
Record the wind box pressure readings intermittently so that outside itself we can judge the bed
height like fluidzation, for hudgeing the height, we have to subtract the initial wind box pressure
reading from present wind box pressure reading. This will give us the approximate bed height
inside the furnace.therfore,
Bed height= (present wind box pressure-initial wind box pressure
Check water and steam circuit drain valves , isolation valves etc..Fill the bed material to a height
of 300 mm in all compartments. Fluidize all the compartments together provided the fan motor
amperes area below the limits. If not possible, fluidize two compartments together for leveling.
Then the next compartment can be fluidized separately. The start up compartment is to be
fluidized separately. When this is done, a portion of the bed material spills to the adjacent
compartment and builds a mount along the edge of the compartment. Further bed material is to
be added to the start up compartment so that the bed height of 200 225 mm is maintained.
BOILER LIGHT UP
The lighting up of the boiler is to be done with the help of charcoal and kerosene. The start up is
to be done only for a single compartment. After stabilizing with a single compartment fire is
transferred to other compartments as per the procedure explained separately.PREPARATIONS
Inspect the boiler prior to starting and check the following.
All access doors are closed.
All personnel cleared.
All foreign materials are removed from furnace and pressure parts.
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Starting equipment and interlocks are in position.
Boiler is filled with DM water above the low level limit.
Check the following equipments for adequate lubrication and readiness for service.
Fans and drives.
Feed pumps and drives.
Fuel feeders and controllers.
Check dry fuel (0-6) mm is available in the bunker, the gates blow the bunker is open and fuel is
available at feeder inlet.
Check the instrument air is available at the required pressure of 7Kg/cm for instrumentation
and control.
Check the following valves in the boiler drum are closed.
Feed control valve and its bypass valve.
Blow down valve.
Main steam stop valve.
Drain valves of water level gauge.
Check the following valves are kept open.
Air vent on top of drum.
Water level gauge, pressure gauge and level transmitter / isolation valves.Valves before and after the feed control valve in the feed line.
Valves on the feed line connecting to the feed pumps in operation.
Check the bed material is filled in the furnace and fluidisation study is complete.
BOILER FILLING
Before starting the filling up, keep the vent on the drum open and close the blow down and drain
valves. The filling up is to be done by running the feed pumps but the rate of flow is controlled
by means of feed control valve. During the filling up check the operation of blow down valve and
drain valves and then close them. The boiler is filled up completely till water comes through the
drum vent and is drained to bring the water level at low level alarm limit.
FLUIDISATION STUDY
During the fluidisation studies, expect for large compartments the fuel transport air need not be
introduced, as it would disturb the bed.
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Observe the fluidisation of the start up compartment by varying the airflow gradually. Mark the
position of dampers when the bed material begins to fluidize. In the case of pneumatically
operated dampers, note the input signal PSI from the manual loaders.
The on set fluidisation may also be observed by plotting the bed pressure drop against the air
flow.
Set the air flow at 5 mm P.
Measure the Sporger Header pressure, P1 mmwc.
Add the gas plenum pressure P2 to P1 (P1+(P2)) is the pressure drop across the Sporger
Header and bed.
Subtract P3 mmwc, which is the pressure drop across Sporger Header, alone which is
measured in DP study. i.e., (P1+(P2))-P3 would be the pressure drop across the bed.
The pressure drop across the bed is thus obtained for various airflows. The readings may be
plotted in a graph as shown.
The airflow at which fluidisation starts is noted. This valve is to be maintained for the purpose of
mixing at the time of startup.
Once the fluidization study is completed, the fans shall be switched off and boiler shall be taken
for light up.
The boiler light up is done using charcoal and kerosene as explained below.
A fixed quantity of dry charcoal is spread uniformly over the start up compartment.
A fixed quantity of kerosene mixed charcoal is spread uniformly over the dry charcoal layer.
The fire is initiated using swab.
Further by proper air flow control, fire can be spread and the heat released by charcoal is
utilized to heat the bed material to a temperature above the ignition temperature of the fuel.
In the process of preheating bed material the required fluidisation velocity is maintained in the
bed by suitably opening the FD fan inlet damper.
Further, the fuel feed rate is adjusted to maintain a bed temperature of 800C to 850C.
The charcoal of size below 15 mm shall not be accounted for the above quantity.Keep the ID fan damper open at the time of lighting up. This would reduce the possibility of
furnaces puff.
Initiate the fire bushing number of swabs. Throw the swabs in such a way that the fire spreads
uniformly over the entire furnace. If the spreading of the fire is non-uniform sprinkle some
kerosene choked charcoal and throw it to the locations where fire is not there. Unless the fire is
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more or less present over the entire surface, it is advised not to proceed with the light up.
Unless the top layer or charcoal gets ignited, further charcoal would not get ignited.
BED TEMPERATURE AND AIR FLOW CONTROL
The thermocouples are located in such a way that they are well utilized for start up.
The top-level bed thermocouple is located at a height to read the temperature just at the burning
charcoal layer. The bottom level thermocouple is located to read the bed material temperature
at a height of 100 mm from nozzle level.
After the introduction of fire, top-level thermocouple temperature will go up. It is very important
to increase the airflow gradually in order to increase the top-level temperature to 800C. At first
the ID fan damper opening alone allows some leakage of air. Further opening of FD fan damper
will add some more air to increase the bed temperature. Now close ID fan and FD fan inlet
dampers. Start ID fan then FD fan. Open ID fan and FD fan inlet dampers step by step to
increase the top level temperature to 800C to 850C. Till this period the bottom level
thermocouple would not have shown increase in temperature. Once the top level temperature
reaches 800-850C, the burning top layer of charcoal shall be mixed with rest of the bed. The
mixing is done by increasing the airflow so as to fluidise the bed. The mixing airflow should not
be higher than that of the airflow established during the fluidisation study. For this purpose the
markings made on damper positions shall be used. If the mixing is done at other airflow, the
burning charcoal will spill into the adjacent compartment. More than a loss of charcoal in the
start up compartment, the bed height will reduce in start up compartment. This would lead to
defluidisation, as the air would tend to bypass at bed heights lower than 100 mm.
The duration of mixing shall be between 20-30 seconds. During the mixing process, the top-
level temperature would start reducing. At the same time, bottom level temperature would begin
to rise.
Soon after the mixing is completed the airflow is brought to a minimum. Open the man hole door
and visually ensure through mixing has been done. If top layer charcoal is not been disturbed at
some places, mixing shall be carried out once again.
After ensuring thorough mixing, the airflow shall be brought down to minimum and then shall be
increased in steps. The airflow shall be increased gradually so as to raise the bed temperature.
The airflow shall be brought up at MCR airflow in process of raising bed temperature above
600C.
Once the bed temperature shoots above 600C, the fuel transport lines are to be dechoked and
fuel flow shall be established.
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Switch on the PA fan.
Open the fuel transport air dampers of the start up compartment.
Check the suction at the mixing nozzle. If suction is not available, open the respective bottom
drain gates of fuel pipes to dechoke, if any. After the choking of fuel feed pipe is cleared close
the gates.
In the case of larger compartments it is advisable to initiate minimum airflow in fuel pipelines just
before mixing process to avoid choking of the fuel lines.
Adjust the PA fan suction damper, to maintain the header pressure in between 700 to 900
mmwc.
Initiate the fuel flow by switching on the fuel feeders. The fuel flow shall be kept minimum at the
beginning. At the time of fuel feed initiation, the charcoal might not be burnt fully. Hence it is
most important to initiate fuel feed gradually.
Excess fuel feed will increase the bed temperature uncontrollably. Though the bed temperature
can be controlled by increasing the airflow, it is advisable to take care at the time of fuel feed
initiation. Stabilize the start up compartment operation with a bed temperature of 850C and with
the MCR air flow.
On the waterside watch the drum level. If the level goes down switch on feed pump and regulate
the feed control valve. ON/OFF operation of feed pump should be avoided to the extent
possible. If the feed pump is auto operated, keep the selector switch in auto mode. Here again
regulate feed control valve to avoid frequent start/stop of pump.
Close the drum vents at 2kg/cm pressure if the boiler is provided with super heater. This is
done so that super heater coils are cooled better by more steam flow through them. Ensure the
vents, start up vents, drains are open in super heater lines. The condensate in super heater
coils and main steam pipe should have been removed earlier. In the case of non-drainable
sections of super heater coils it is possible that condensate leads to water hammer.
In case of power cut during start up after the mixing, it will not be possible to access how much
charcoal is burnt out. It is advised to cool thoroughly and drain the bed material in start up
compartment and do a fresh light up.
However, if the power cut had occurred before mixing one may attempt to light up as below.
Sprinkle kerosene soaked charcoal through manhole evenly over the start up compartment. The
charcoal quantity shall be the same as that for light up.
Throw swabs and light up.
Follow the same procedure as discussed in a regular light up.
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if the power cut occurs after mixing and provided the duration is also short, it may be possible to
light up.
Fluidize the bed minimally. Check the bed temperature. If the bed temperature is more than 400Cadd dry charcoal to the bed. The charcoal should be thrown uniformly over the entire bed. Observethe rise in temperature. If there is no improvement in bed temperature it is better to cool the bed
Never allow the bed to be static in this method. If the bed is static, clinker formation will start.