Boiler Efficiency and NOx ptimisation through Advanced Monitoring and Control of Local Combustion Conditions

This paper presents the methodology, development and results of a power station optimisation programme performed by INERCO, AICIA and ENDESA. The overall aims of this programme have been the improvement of boiler efficiency and the reduction of the environmental impact associated to NOX emissions, by means of the following specifically developed tools:- Advanced automatic monitoring system of local combustion conditions (OPTICOM system). This system enables the collection and analysis of gas samples from the boiler furnace that provides on-line measurements of local furnace parameters as temperature and gas concentrations (O2, CO, NOx, SO2).- Signal quality assurance system. This software package detects anomalous values of measured variables, substituting them for the best allowable estimations.- On-line calculation and supervision system of unit energy efficiency. This system continuously displays the global boiler efficiency and the performance of significant parts of the installation, providing a reliable evaluation of the influence of any parameter adjustment in the overall facility performance.- An advisory and modelling software package for optimisation of boiler efficiency and NOX emissions (SIRE system)