We performed engineering and design life analyses of an electrostatic fly-ash precipitator system, to determine errors in the original design of the ductwork system.
The growing need for efficient electric power generation led to the use of pulverized coal as a basic fuel for large steam generating units in the United States around 1920. The combustion of coal pulverized to tiny particles results in the creation of even smaller ash particles, known as flyash particles. About 80 percent of these flyash particles are swept up by by the moving stream of combustion gas and carried out of the boiler. Such particles would be discharged from the chimney and create a major air pollution problem in the atmosphere, unless they are removed from the flue gas.
Thus, an electrostatic precipitator is used to remove particulate matter (flyash) from the boiler flue gas prior to emission from the chimney. Electrostatic precipitators immediately achieved wide acceptance for the efficiency removal of flyash. For hot-side precipitator designs, ductwork designs included temperatures exceeding 700 F, have to allow for “thermal breathing”. When these movements are restrained, large forces are created, which can cause tearing, cracking and buckling of the steel. Sliding supports, expansion joints, and appropriate elevated temperature structural design practices are therefore used to avoid restraining thermal movements.
We perform design and (thermal, stress, vibration & fatigue) analysis of equipment for clients in industries including petrochemical, mining and energy.
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