Survey reveals hot-side precipitator performance

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Pollut. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5953169

Andes, G M; Cummings, W E

The survey has shown that hot-side precipitators may be susceptible to performance-related or structural-related problems. Performance-type problems are attributed to specific coal and ash characteristics. Structural-type problems may be attributed to inadequate provision for thermal expansion, operation above design temperatures, inadequate support structure design, or improper operational techniques. Although mechanical and instrumentation and control problems were reported, they are characteristic of all precipitators (especially weighted-wire designs) and are not specific to only hot-side applications. The applications of the rigid frame precipitator tends to minimize the occurrence of the most prevalent mechanical problems: wire breakage and inadequate rapping. The survey has shown that when sodium content of the coal ash is less than 1/2 percent, the precipitator may be susceptible to performance-related problems primarily due to sodium depletion. The results also indicate that there is no definitive break-point or ''threshold'' sodium oxide level at which problems begin to occur. This is due to the large number of interactive variables, including other coal ash constituents, flue gas conditions and precipitator characteristics. Although recent attention has focused on the severe problems encountered by a few hot-side precipitators, the majority of the problems occur in units burning the low sulfur, very low sodium (0.1-0.3%) coals. Hotside precipitators currently can provide an efficient and reliable method of flyash collection when the precipitator is properly designed and operated.

• Research Organization: Gilbert/Commonwealth
• OSTI ID: 5953169
• Journal Information: Pollut. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Pollut. Eng.; (United States) Vol. XV:3; ISSN PLENB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
ALKALI METALS
ASH CONTENT
ASHES
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COAL
CONTROL
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FLUE GAS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
MATERIALS
METALS
OPERATION
PERFORMANCE
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
PRECIPITATION
RESIDUES
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SODIUM
SULFUR CONTENT
WASTES