BLACKOUTS RAISE BIG COMBUSTION SAFETY ISSUES

摘要

Virtually all media attention concerning this summer's massive U.S. power blackout focused on the grid. Yet outages can dramatically affect power plant combustion components and create significant safety hazards. Even far smaller events ― minor brownouts, voltage sags or momentary blips ― can interrupt fan system airflow, the ability to ignite, and the ability to control combustion processes. Whatever the cause, the results can be very costly and extremely dangerous. John Puskar, P.E., principal of Combustion Safety, Inc. ― an engineering firm specializing in boiler and combustion system interlock testing, training, and safety evaluations ― identifies a number of combustion equipment/electrical power related issues that must be taken into consideration when it comes to maintaining the integrity and safety of equipment.