Soot Blowing Operation Optimization Using PSO Method by Studying Behaviour of Operating Parameter in Sub Critical Coal Fired Power Plant

Power Generation Unit, Institute of Power Engineering (IPE), Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 4300, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: tanesh7_22@live.com.my

Abstract

Coal, natural gas and fuel-oil are three major fossil fuels sources are vastly used in electrical power generation sector in Malaysia. In a coal fired power plant, the major byproducts resulting from coal combustion inside boiler is soot, ash and NOx emissions. Boiler fouling and slagging are common problems that leads reduces heat transfer rate in furnace and boiler efficiency. This happens when soot and ash is formed and deposited along the boiler tubes, furnaces and heaters. Hence, soot blowing operation is used to blow off steam in affected areas of boilers as a cleaning mechanism. However, current soot blowing operation is practiced through operator’s visual inspection of slagging or fouling rate in furnace. This leads to inefficient soot blowing operation that effects the plant’s operating and maintenance cost. Thus, by studying behavior of operating parameters, soot blowing operation can be optimized to reduce unnecessary soot blowing operation in power plant.