Variable conditions like coal quality, boiler cleanliness and equipment deterioration can affect a coal-fired power plant's performance -- and that's where combustion optimization systems come in, to minimize their impact. Powerplant operators have several optimization technologies from which to choose. Some optimization methods model the furnace and make changes over time while others take measurements directly from the furnace in real time, said Ron Zimmerman, marketing manager, Zolo Technologies. Power plant operators without combustion measurements are forced to look at the stack and judge things as best they can. Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group Inc's optimization technology, Flame Doctor, can be used in conjunction with other optimization systems like neural network-type technology to provide information about the individual burners. As part of the move to control emissions and to find optimal positions for various parameters in the boiler combustion process, Tampa Electric Co is also installing combustion optimization systems.
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