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[DAIALOS]

Hello Everyone I want to share with you guys some thoughts about a situation with one of our Boilers The boiler in this case is a Water tube Boiler 600 psig, 100k pounds/hr maximum steam production. We burn a mixture of Bio Gas (Methane) And Fuel Oil #6. Recently we have been having problems with the atomization. I am almost sure it is caused mainly by the presence of condensate in the fuel atomization. We atomize with saturated steam at 150 psig. Also I have seen in some occasions like sparkles in the flame, for what i think it proves the presence of condensate. My main question is about switching from steam to air for the fuel atomization. it certainly will help with the elimination of condensate. But what about the air temperature (Cold) it could affect the atomization by lowering the fuel temperature at the atomization point? What advantages or disadvantages could have atomizing with or steam? What is the common practice for this type of boilers in the industry? Thanks in Advance

[JMW]

I guess you mean you use either biogas or fuel oil according to circumstance.

I also assume your problem is with the No 6 Fuel oil.

But, is the situation you report one that has been a continuous problem now being addressed or is this a new problem?

If the system worked fine before then something has changed and the answer would be to find out what changed and fix it if it is an equipment or process control problem.

The other thing it might be is a fuel oil quality problem. Heavy fuel oils are notorious for their quality problems at the best of times but if the fuel is delivered by road tankers then perhaps you need to check that the fuel delivered is the fuel ordered. It is not unheard of for drivers to take a detour on route and substitute water or waste chemicals for for some of the fuel getting paid for the fuel and paid for disposing of chemicals in the fuel.

I was on site at an Auto producer where they used HFO for their Large Diesel engines (to provide CHP for on site use and surplus electricity to the grid. The engineers had to dump an entire consignment of HFO delivered by road tanker as hey said it had so much water content you could take a shower in it.

Edited by JMW, 20 May 2013 - 04:23 PM.