By Doug Simmers, Combustion Analyzer Worldwide Product Manager, Emerson Process Management, Rosemount Analytical
Hi! Doug Simmers here. Today, I’d like to talk about flue gas analysis. In the real world, budgets are always tight — personnel and resources are always constrained. It’s critical that plants implement technologies that make plant operation easier, faster, less costly, more compliant, and more efficient. One area where this is crucial is in improving boiler efficiency. Plants with large boilers or industrial furnaces must maintain optimum oxygen levels in flue gases to maximize their boiler efficiency.
To ensure that flue gas oxygen levels are always accurate, the new Rosemount Analytical 6888 oxygen probe from Emerson now offers an online “calibration recommended” diagnostic which tells plant personnel that a given oxygen probe needs to be calibrated.
Calibration solenoids mounted inside the probe head make calibrations easier than ever, without requiring a technician to visit the analyzer. It also eliminates the cost of installing and wiring a separate solenoid box. The calibration recommended diagnostic also removes the need to conduct calibrations on a schedule. eliminating many scheduled calibrations that are actually unnecessary.
There are several new diagnostics available in today’s advanced oxygen probe technology, including a “plugged diffuser/filter” alarm for applications that have fly ash or other particulate entrained in the flue gases. Also, a “stoichiometer” feature indicates the level of reducing conditions if the oxygen readings go to zero percent. In addition, an elevated temperature capability for furnaces that operate at very high temperatures is also a feature that’s available and should be considered. These new diagnostics permit operators to run boilers and furnaces with confidence that the best efficiency is being maintained without compromising safety.
Advanced diagnostics and automatic calibration improve accuracy in flue gas analysis which is crucial not only because it provides better combustion efficiency, but also because it minimizes the production of greenhouse gases such as CO2 and thermal NOx, improving plant compliance with environmental regulations.
Get more information on advances in flue gas oxygen analyzers or watch our video on efficiency and cost-savings in flue gas analysis.
What kinds of flue gas oxygen analysis challenges are facing your plant? Can new technologies improve your boiler efficiency and keep you off the stack?