Unveiling the Silent Culprit: Increased Fuel Consumption due to Fouling
The combustion boiler is at the heart of many operations. Whether it’s a power boiler operating in a combined heating plant or a recovery boiler in a pulp and paper mill. They enable processes to run smoothly and efficiently if maintained right. The boilers have a universal enemy that not only affect their efficiency but also the bottom line– fouling. One of the most overlooked consequences to heavy fouling Is increased fuel consumption. It is therefore important to mitigate the issue before the consequences get unbearable. Why does fuel consumption increase due to fouling? The overall performance of the boiler relies heavily on efficient heat exchange. The heat must flow from combustion chambers to water, generating steam that is essential for different processes in the combustion plant. The deposit buildup on boiler surfaces disturbs the heat exchange, this notion is well documented and fairly agreed upon. The hidden culprit though, is that in order to maintain the same steam [...]