Powerplus Cleaning Systems

Burning of solid hydrocarbon fuels (i.e. coal) results in what is commonly referred to as slagging and fouling of downstream heat transfer surfaces due to the bi-products (fly ash) of the combustion process. This fouling has a negative impact on efficiency of heat transfer and requires significant increases in coal burned in order to maintain power output of the utility. In addition, utilities burning fossil fuels are facing increasing regulatory compliance challenges. Regulations are forcing many utilities to change fuel sources, inject additives, modify and add equipment. These changes are adding to the loading and changing the properties of the ash deposits, making them even more difficult to remove. The patented PowerPlus Impulse Cleaning System has been designed as a solution to this problem and has proven to be very effective as a primary ash removal device. The cleaning system supersonically combusts fuel and air to create a strong shockwave. This impulse wave resonates the fly ash that adheres to the heat transfer surfaces and dislodges it; thereby increasing the clean surface area of the convection section of the boiler, leading to more efficient heat transfer. The PowerPlus Impulse cleaning system has been on the market for ten years and there are over 70 units installed at major utilities throughout the U.S. Results have been impressive, dramatically increasing heat transfer efficiency, reducing forced outages and significantly lowering maintenance and operational costs. In most cases financial payback for the system is less than one year.