Application of Boiler Op for combustion optimization at PEPCO
- Potomac Electric Power Co., Upper Marlsboro, MD (United States)
- Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States). Energy Research Center
Title IV requires the reduction of NOx at all stations within the PEPCO system. To assist PEPCO plant personnel in achieving low heat rates while meeting NOx targets, Lehigh University`s Energy Research Center and PEPCO developed a new combustion optimization software package called Boiler Op. The Boiler Op code contains an expert system, neural networks and an optimization algorithm. The expert system guides the plant engineer through a series of parametric boiler tests, required for the development of a comprehensive boiler database. The data are then analyzed by the neural networks and optimization algorithm to provide results on the boiler control settings which result in the best possible heat rate at a target NOx level or produce minimum NOx. Boiler Op has been used at both Potomac River and Morgantown Stations to help PEPCO engineers optimize combustion. With the use of Boiler Op, Morgantown Station operates under low NOx restrictions and continues to achieve record heat rate values, similar to pre-retrofit conditions. Potomac River Station achieves the regulatory NOx limit through the use of Boiler Op recommended control settings and without NOx burners. Importantly, any software like Boiler Op cannot be used alone. Its application must be in concert with human intelligence to ensure unit safety, reliability and accurate data collection.
- OSTI ID:
- 514835
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970456-; TRN: IM9737%%329
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 59. Annual meeting of the American power conference, Chicago, IL (United States), 1-3 Apr 1997; Other Information: PBD: 1997; Related Information: Is Part Of Proceedings of the American power conference: Volume 59-1; McBride, A.E. [ed.]; PB: 613 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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