Inside the combustion chamber of a coal-fired power plant there is a constant downward rain of ash. This material is cooled in a wet ash remover, discharged and collected in an ash hopper. Due to both the discharge and evaporation, water is continuously lost in the process. Since the wet ash remover is at the same time the air seal for the combustion chamber, the water level must reliably be detected and the water replenished when necessary.
Up until recently at a certain coal-fired power plant, the required level measurement was carried out with a bubbler system. However, this method was susceptible to blockage and frequent damage through abrasion. Measurement outages and the resulting plant shutdowns forced the operator to initiate an elaborate maintenance plan. Each maintenance operation meant shutting down the boiler, removing the measuring equipment, installing a replacement and recalibrating the system.
For that reason, the operator made a request for a robust, reliable and service-friendly level measuring system.
The solution
A Vegabar 52 pressure transmitter was installed for level measurement in the wet ash remover. Its ceramic measuring cell is highly resistant to the abrasive ash and with its front-flush process fitting, the sensor is optimally protected against build-up. The measuring cell of the instrument provides up to 150-fold overload resistance, meaning that even the pressure shocks resulting from the flushing out of the process connection cannot damage the sensor.
This measuring system is always functional; plant shutdowns for repairs are a thing of the past and costly measures for preventive maintenance are no longer necessary. No spare parts have to be kept, which frees up staff and increases the efficiency of the entire plant.
The benefits
The operator of this power plant is now assured of higher safety levels at the boiler through a functional measuring system in the ash remover at all times. The plant is operating more efficiently and no preventative maintenance plan is required, which in turn has led to significant savings in spare parts inventory.
‘Control Talk SA’ podcast with Emerson on level measurement for the mining industry Emerson Automation Solutions
Level Measurement & Control
Reliable level measurement is critical to keeping South African mines safe, productive and sustainable, but harsh conditions can make accurate readings challenging. In this Emerson podcast, Shivam Misra explores how advanced radar technology and remote monitoring are helping mines improve measurement reliability while reducing operator exposure to hazardous areas.
Read more...Precision solutions for extreme conditions VEGA Controls SA
Pressure Measurement & Control
VEGA’s VEGAPULS radar sensors, VEGABAR pressure transmitters and VEGASWING level switches deliver reliable measurement in chemical storage environments handling corrosive acids, alkalis and volatile hydrocarbons, with ATEX and IECEx certification for hazardous zones.
Read more...The hydrogen economy is moving from concept to industrial reality VEGA Controls SA
Editor's Choice Pressure Measurement & Control
Scaling the hydrogen economy requires safe, efficient and tightly controlled processes across generation, storage, distribution and end use, underpinned by accurate instrumentation for pressure, temperature, level and flow measurement.
Read more...VEGA leads Africa’s next mining era VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
Africa’s mines demand instrumentation that performs under extreme conditions, and VEGA’s level, pressure, point-level and density solutions are engineered to deliver exactly that. From flotation circuits to tailings management, its technologies help operations convert reliable process data into measurable gains in productivity, safety and control.
Read more...Inductive ring sensors monitor material flow in feeding technology ifm - South Africa
Level Measurement & Control
Inductive ring sensors detect metallic parts moving through tubes at up to 35 m/s, whatever their size, enabling precise counting, flow control and reliable detection of blockages or misfeeds.
Read more...VEGA pressure instrumentation supports resilient water network management VEGA Controls SA
Pressure Measurement & Control Flow Measurement & Control
As rapid urbanisation and climate pressures strain water networks across Africa, accurate real-time pressure monitoring has become a strategic necessity. VEGA’s pressure instrumentation helps utilities reduce losses, protect infrastructure and meet sustainability targets.
Read more...Groundwater level measurement using LoRa module Instrotech
Level Measurement & Control
Monitoring groundwater levels across large industrial sites is critical. Salzgitter Digital Solution was tasked with developing a fully automated and digital monitoring system using Long Range Wide Area Network technology.
Read more...Where corrosion meets control VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
Reliable level measurement is essential in copper and cobalt processing, and at KCC, VEGA Controls is helping ensure uninterrupted operations with robust vibrating level switch technology.
Read more...Safety, hygiene and quality management for Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing industry VEGA Controls SA
Level Measurement & Control
VEGA sensors support critical processes in pharmaceutical manufacturing such as fermentation, purification, formulation, filling, storage and CIP/SIP cleaning cycles. Their design ensures that pharmaceutical manufacturers can maintain sterility, reduce downtime and achieve consistent batch quality, even in demanding production environments.
Read more...Level measurement for hygienic applications Endress+Hauser South Africa
Level Measurement & Control
Endress+Hauser’s Liquiphant is considered to be the most reliable and safe point level detector in industrial plants. The latest generation of devices is ready for Industry 4.0 and, with the Liquiphant FTL63, is ideally suited for applications with hygienic requirements.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version