Improving the Boiler Efficiency by Optimizing the Combustion Air

Abstract

Air pre-heater and economizer are heat transfer surfaces in which air temperature and water temperature are raised by transferring heat from other media such as flue gas. Hot air is necessary for rapid combustion in the furnace and also for drying coal in milling plants. So an essential boiler accessory which serves this purpose is air pre-heater. The air pre-heater is not essential for operation of steam generator, but they are used where a study of cost indicates that money can be saved or efficient combustion can be obtained by their use. The decision for its adoption can be made when the financial advantages is weighed against the capital cost of heater. The efficiency of the boiler increases with the increase in the temperature of the combustion air used in the furnace. This is achieved by the increased temperature of the flue gas in the air preheater and economizer zone. This paper deals with the different ways to obtain the maximum heat from the flue gas travelling through the air preheater and the economizer zone to improve the boiler efficiency.