Increasingly, RFPs for air handling systems stress the need for efficiency. We’ve seen and responded to quite a lot of these requests, developing a host of strategies for addressing efficiency concerns for existing systems, as well as designing all-new, bleeding-edge draft systems that raise the bar. In reviewing all of… Read More
Optimize Your Draft System
In one plant, design flaws in its baghouse fans were causing them to run at only 15.6-percent fan efficiency, costing the facility over $500,000 in unnecessary operating costs annually. Retrofitting the baghouse ID fans with optimized specs paid off with an eight-month return on investment. Advice to optimize draft systems… Read More
Shutdown Prep: Are You Missing the Boat on Preventive Maintenance?
Scheduled maintenance outages are critical windows of opportunity for any power generation plant to upgrade or retrofit sections of a system to meet today’s standards and regulations for efficiency and emissions. Fundamental assessments of and adjustments to fuel delivery and draft systems can pay big dividends, without the huge capital… Read More
Fuel Handling in the Power Industry: Considerations for Handling Diverse Fuel Sources
In its World Energy Outlook 2011 Executive Summary, the International Energy Agency projected that supplies of biofuels for energy would triple by 2035, reaching an equivalent of 4 million barrels of oil per day, fueled by subsidies of up to $1.4 trillion. As the world explores every possibility for answering… Read More
Equipment Spotlight: Material Handling Conveyors
Understanding the differences between material handling conveyor systems can help you avoid system failures and unnecessary design complexities that can reduce reliability and increase cost. Drag Chain Conveyors Generally used in dust-tight environments, drag chain conveyors are ideal for handling hot, abrasive and/or corrosive material, and when a shift in elevation is required. There are two… Read More
Simple Solutions for Ash Handling Systems
Cliff Moss, VP for Materials Handling at ProcessBarron, detailed challenges and simple solutions for ash handling systems in the September issue of Biomass Products and Technology. His article “Biomass Ash Handling: Simplifying the Challenges” details common pitfalls and simple solutions that can improve reliability, reduce downtime and minimize maintenance costs. Article… Read More
Five Important Reasons Preventative Maintenance Makes Perfect Sense
Preventative Maintenance. Those two words alone imply the benefit of this practice, but many in the industrial industry abide by the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rule. Below are five important reasons that Preventative Maintenance makes sense. Plant Safety In order to avoid injuries to your equipment operators,… Read More
Three Ways to Streamline Your Shutdown
Scheduled shutdowns can often become a plant’s most expensive project. From the expense of equipment maintenance to the loss of production, downtime can significantly magnify financial strain. However, there are ways you can mitigate the costs of routine maintenance. Here are three tips: 1. Plan in Advance Shutdown pre-planning… Read More