Case Histories_ Pulverizer Upgrades Are Reducing Fuel Costs

7/28/2019 Case Histories_ Pulverizer Upgrades Are Reducing Fuel Costs

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ase Histories: Pulverizer Upgrades Are Reducing Fuel CostsJohns River Power Park (SJRPP) is a two-boiler, 2 x 660-MW station jointly owned by JEA (formerly Jacksonville Electric Authority)

Florida Power & Light (FPL). JEA is the plant operator. The Foster Wheeler boilers went into commercial operation in 1987 and

8. Each boiler has seven OEM vertical spindle pulverizers (mills) and 28 OEM low-NO X burners in an opposed, wall-fired

figuration. Since 2005, the boilers have typically fired a blend of 70% Colombian coal (or, to a lesser degree, domestic coal) and

% delayed petroleum coke.

inning in the spring of 2002 and concluding in spring 2005, the plant upgraded its combustion equipment to lower NO X, CO, and loss

gnition (LOI). This positioned the plant to meet future compliance with the Clean Air Interstate Rule. The work included advanced

-NOX burners, windbox modifications, an aerodynamic overfire air system, coal pipe orifice valves, and a permanently installed

rowave-based coal f lowmonitoring system.

h the new equipment, the plant was successful in obtaining the desired emission reductions. An additional benefit was that these

uctions allowed the plant to increase petroleum coke consumption from 20% to 30%. However, as fuel prices continued to climb,

e emphasis was placed on burning lower-grade fuels. Specifically, one of the plants long-term coal contracts was set to expire, and

ificant fuel savings could be realized if this coal could be replaced with lower-grade coal.

ng that the OEM mills throughput was preventing this option, SJRPP invited Sure Alloy Steel Corp. (SAS) to perform an evaluation

he total fuel system. A comprehensive systemic evaluation was carried out consisting of data review, equipment inspections, and

rational observations. In-depth interviews with plant personnel revealed recurring operational and maintenance problems as well as

ificant historical issues.

perating Experiencesm 1997 through 2004, SJRPPs fuel supply consisted of 80% coal and 20% petroleum coke. The coal was supplied under two

arate long-term contracts; the petroleum coke was purchased on the spot market. Due to the fixed price of the contract coal,

RPPs aggregate fuel cost remained largely unaffected by rising fuel prices in 2003 and 2004. Only the 20% component representing

oleum coke was affected by market forces.

he differential price between petroleum coke and coal remained substantial, there was a distinct advantage in burning petroleum

e. Because of the combustion improvements on Units 1 and 2 in 2003 and 2004 respectively, both units began burning 30%

oleum coke in April 2005.

king forward from 2004, the first of the two long-term coal contracts was set for a market reopener in December 2005. Because

low heating value of this coal challenged the fuel delivery system, a substantial increase in fuel cost was anticipated beyond 2005.

ortunately, to avoid or mitigate this expected fuel cost increase would require SJRPP to burn a lower-grade coal than the coal thatpreviously defined its lower limit of coal quality of 11,800 Btu/lb.

coal supplier suggested a lower-grade coal averaging 11,300 Btu/lb at a substantial discount. After evaluating the statistical

ance in the coals heat content, it was determined that a 7% increase in mill coal throughput would be required. Without this increase

substitute coal would not be viable.

ant EquipmentOEM mills are vertical spindle mills with three static rotating grinding rollers and a rotary grinding zone. They were designed to be

-speed, high-volume mills with a design capacity of 103.8 Klb/hr at 70% fineness passing 200 mesh while grinding a 48 HGI

rdgrove Grindibility Index) coal. However, the mills had never performed at this level, and a base capacity of 89.5 Klb/hr (70%

ugh 200 mesh, 48 HGI) for the mills was established. The base capacity and standard correction curves have historically been usedscreening candidate fuels.

OEM mills had originally been furnished with stationary air ports. To reduce maintenance costs, the stationary air ports were

aced by aftermarket rotating air ports, which resulted in no effect on mill capacity. Classifiers of the OEM mills were designed to be

ernally adjustable. Unfortunately, since start-up of the unit, the mechanism proved inoperable, and a mill shutdown was required to

ust it.

OEM discharge rings and classifier reject chutes were original. On the other hand, the grinding ring segments were OEM castings,

the grinding rollers used aftermarket welded overlay material. In addition, the vertical spindle had been modified. Although the

rmarket modifications were successful in reducing maintenance costs, they had no effect on mill capacity. Mill capacity remained the

tacle to burning less-expensive lower-rank fuels.

ill Performance Evaluationproblem revealed during the SAS evaluation was restricted capacity due to air port and classifier limitations. The main constraint to

ucing fuel costs was mill capacity. Operating above its maximum capacity, the mill differential and motor amps would gradually

ease. Likewise, when the feed rate exceeded the mills capacity to grind the fuel, the amount of fuel remaining within the mill

eased. In addition, the mill table differential pressure fluctuated as the mass of fuel exiting the mill cycled. When this occurred, it

n required operators to keep the mills feeder and air control in manual mode.


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ther issue involved the classifier reject discharge chutes (Figure 1). The weighted trap doors would tend to bind or lock in a throttled

tion, reducing the return of oversized, rejected particles to the grinding zone. As additional chutes became bound, the classifier

acity would diminish as the path for oversized fuel returning to the grinding zone became restricted. Ultimately, the classifier cone

ld fill with fuel, forcing oversized fuel particles to exit the mill prematurely.

JRPP mill prior to modifications. Courtesy: SAS Global Power

s resulted in reduced fineness, poor flame quality, high carbon monoxide production, high LOI, and unburned carbon in the ash. To

ify the problem required removing the mill from service. The problem was further exacerbated by wet fuel conditions as the elevated

mary air temperature would cake or char the contents of the classifier into a solid mass.

he spring of 2004, SAS built and SJRPP installed a prototypical rotating air port in the 1B mill. This mill was selected as the

otype because it had a history of being the worst of the 14 mills in regard to mill bowl differential pressure and surging. Historically,

1B mill had the lowest fuel loading and, as a result, it required the remaining mills to make up for its deficiency.on completion of the air port installation, results were immediately observed as the operators increased the participation of the 1B

The effectiveness of the new rotating air port to reduce classifier duty through primary classification resulted in additional capacity

m the mill. Based on this success, it was determined to prototype an additional mill with all the features SAS had recommended.

ill Modificationsair directional vanes of the rotating air port (Figure 2) face the direction of the grinding tables rotation at a precise angle. Combined

the throat annulus area, they vector the air port velocity at approximately 10,200 ft/min. The vanes are adjustable to accommodate

and/or operating changes.


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Adjustable rotating air port. Courtesy: SAS Global

ough the rotation of the air port with the grinding table, the primary air circulates circumferentially and helps to efficiently dry the fuel.

cantilever design of the vanes allows the radial seal to utilize the total air port area. Deflectors, immediately above the vanes, move

coal/air mixture toward the mills center. This provides primary classification of the coal and larger particle sizes of coal back onto

grinding segments. The reduction in classifier turndown with this design has contributed to an increase in the mills grinding capacity.gh-spin static classifier blade, cage, and adjustable cycling mechanism (Figure 3) replaced the OEMs cage assembly. With this

gn the blades are 180 degrees from the OEM arrangement. In operation they cycle around a pivot point for blade adjustment to the

harge ring tangent. There is a downward deflection in the blade form, and the blades extend downward below the classifier cone

As a result, it takes advantage of the rotational forces imparted on the dense phase flow within the mill at the primary air porting

vation.


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igh-spin static classifier. Courtesy: SAS Global Power

conical form, depth, and direction of the blade accelerates the circumferential movement of the dense phase flow around the

sifier cone, which acts as a cyclone separator. Centrifugal force controls the fineness level, and the blades can be easily rotated

m the mills exterior.zing stainless steel gimball bushings, turnbuckles, and pivot arms, the original adjustment mechanism was completely redesigned.

wever, the original actuation gearbox and connecting arm were reused. This device provides control of the 200 mesh fineness, and

ugh the elimination of restrictions it aids in lowering system resistance. The classifier cone was also replaced. To facilitate any future

ntenance requirements, the new classifier cone was constructed in three segments.

one extension kit (Figure 4) has eliminated the OEM classifier rejects discharge chutes and extended the feed pipe lower into the

The cone extension, bolted to the bottom of the classifier cone, has extended the feed pipe by approximately 48 inches. A series of

e spools are bolted to the bottom of the classifier cone extension.


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Cone extension. Courtesy: SAS Global Power


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Multi-outlet diffuser. Courtesy: SAS Global Power

oversized coal particles are returned by the classifier back into the grinding zone, approximately 32 inches above the table. By

inating the discharge doors and returning the fuel directly into the grinding zone, the mills differential is reduced, fineness is

roved, and plugging or "surging" is eliminated. Additionally, the service life of the classifier components has been extended.

multi-outlet diffuser (Figure 5) creates a homogenous mixture of fuel and air in the turret section of the mill. As a result, it allows a

anced fuel flow through each of the coal pipes exiting the mill. In addition, stimulation of flow characteristics enhances particle size

ribution, dense phase flow mixing, and coal pipe fuel distribution. Fuel distribution is critical to the effective reduction of NO X and

.

esults of Upgradee to its grinding surfaces having been restored in August 2004, the 2G mill was selected to receive the complete upgrade. Baseline

ing was performed in September 2004. After a brief delay due to the active hurricane season, the upgrade was completed in

ober 2004 and the mill was retested in November 2004.

these tests, mill output was slowly raised until its maximum capacity was established. Because of increasing mill bowl differential

ssure, additional fuel input beyond this point was not possible, as it prohibited steady state operation. All tests were performed w ith

er-grade coal.

baseline testing in September 2004 with restored grinding surfaces, and prior to the upgrade, established the mills baseline

acity of 90.2 Klb/hr when corrected to standard fineness of 70% through 200 mesh. These test conditions are presented in Table 1;

capacity corrected to standard fineness is shown in Figure 6. The results fared favorably with the previously established base

acity of 89.5 Klb/hr that had been the historic basis for fuel procurement.


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Comparison of corrected mill capacity before and after upgrade. Source: St. Johns River Power Park

r completing the upgrade in October 2004, the mill was returned to service and retested in November 2004. At the onset of the

sting, it became immediately apparent that the mills new capacity exceeded the 100 Klb/hr capacity of the coal feeder. As a result,

feeders were reconfigured and testing resumed.

ause this was the first test performed since the upgrade, the mills fineness was unknown. With the classifier in a neutral position, no

blems were noted with flame stability, CO, or LOI.

owing the first test, the classifier was adjusted to produce a finer product. Adjustments were made with the mill in service. During

se adjustments, the mill motor amps, feeder speed, and differential pressure were monitored to ensure the desired classifiertion.

shown in Table 1, fineness from the second test is greatly improved, and the corrected capacity confirms the capacity increase

erved during the first test. The two tests demonstrated an average corrected capacity of 103 Klb/hr after the complete upgrade

sus 90.5 Klb/hr prior to the upgrade. When using the lower-quality coal, the 14% capacity increase was double SJRPPs requirement

7% increase in the mills capacity.

mill capacity testing before and after upgrade. Source: St. Johns River Power Park

April 2005, SJRPP placed an order to upgrade the remaining fleet of 13 mills and an aggressive schedule was developed for

ementation. As a result, it has allowed SJRPP to negotiate substituting the lower-grade coal for the remaining 2005 contractual

ntity of higher-grade coal. Because of this, SJRPP was able to save over $2.5 million for fuel in 2005. In January 2005, SJRPP

eived its last shipment of the higher-grade 11,800 Btu/lb coal from this supplier.

verizer (mill) capacity at SJRPP has historically limited the fuel supply to coals at or above 11,800 Btu/lb. However, the pending

ration of long-term coal contracts created the potential for substantial fuel cost increases. With its mill upgrades, the plant has

eased the mills capacity by 14%. Because of this, SJRPP has expanded its coal market, successfully renegotiated one of its two

g-term coal supply contracts, and positioned itself more favorably for future fuel procurement.

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Case Histories_ Pulverizer Upgrades Are Reducing Fuel Costs