Kevin Swamy, who is currently a systems engineer at SAPPI Tugela, gave a well structured and interesting talk to members and visitors at the last technology meeting which was held at UKZN. He gave the group an overview of their steam distribution system and how the various types of boiler fitted in to the overall scheme before describing how fuzzy logic had been developed to improve the combustion efficiency of one of their water tube boilers. Their system currently has shown significant benefit using only existing measurements; steam demand, flue gas oxygen content and flue gas particulate loading, to regulate the FD fan damper. Fuzzy logic has enabled them to achieve improved efficiency without adding the complexity of measuring the coal feed rate to the boiler. This is the first phase of their programme to improve boiler efficiency and reduce particle emissions from their coal fired boilers.
Kevin Swamy (left) with John Owen-Ellis
Forthcoming attractions
Our next Technology evening will be held on the first Wednesday in August. Bruce Barratt from Dimension Data will be giving a presentation on industrial networking.
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