Revolutionizing Sootblowing: Our New Multi-Position Actuator

For years, the steam valves on sootblowers have relied on mechanical opening and closing mechanisms. While these solutions have served the industry well, they are subject to wear over time, which can compromise operational reliability and increase maintenance costs.

In many plants, operators have turned to direct control of steam valves as an alternative. However, this approach has traditionally been limited to colder parts of the boiler, where cooling steam flow is not required. In hotter sections, the need for a cooling steam flow is critical to protect the lance from extreme temperatures. This limitation has made modernization a challenge.

At Heat Management, we have been working for several years to rethink how sootblowers can operate more efficiently. Our goal has been to reduce steam consumption, optimize the cleaning process, and increase overall plant availability.

Today, we are proud to introduce a new multi-position actuator that takes these improvements to the next level. Designed to integrate seamlessly with existing mechanical mechanisms, this actuator enables three key operating positions:

1. Off – valves fully closed when the sootblower is idle.
2. Cooling Steam Flow – a critical mode that protects the lance from high temperatures.
3. Full Cleaning Flow – optimized for efficient soot removal.

By combining direct valve control with the ability to manage cooling flow, our actuator delivers a reliable and robust solution that significantly reduces maintenance needs. Plants benefit from increased operational availability, fewer unplanned shutdowns, and improved performance across the boiler.

The design is also forward-looking: it allows operators to implement modern control strategies without overhauling existing infrastructure. The result is a clear win for both operational efficiency and long-term economics.

The solution is currently being tested at a paper mill in Sweden, where it is demonstrating its potential in a demanding industrial environment.

If you want to explore how this innovation can be implemented in your plant, contact us today!