The Combustion Engineering Association’s (CEA) activities continue to expand and grow, and for over 82 years the CEA has been providing information and education on how to improve the understanding and development of the combustion industry. The forthcoming conference on 17th November, explaining the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD), is just one example of the numerous education programmes it organises. PWE takes a closer look at this important industry association.

A London distillery has decided to switch from an electrically-heated process to one using a steam boiler. PWE reports.

Given the expected life expectancy of an industrial boiler, it can be difficult to find justifiable reasons to invest in modernising or even replacing entire systems during their life cycle to enhance energy efficiency. Rob Brown, technical manager for Industrial Boilers at Bosch Commercial and Industrial Heating, emphasises the importance of a detailed site survey before any decisions are taken and discusses some of the upgrade options available.

Martin Cooke, technical manager at EOGB Energy Products Ltd, looks at the steps that need to be taken to ensure a successful commissioning process.

Detecting the presence of a flame in a combustion process is often more complex than might be first imagined. Mick Barstow of LAMTEC UK reports.

Martin Cooke, technicalmManager at EOGB Energy Products Ltd, discusses the critical considerations to bear in mind when selecting a replacement industrial heating system.

The price of energy continues to cost industry dearly, but energy waste is costing even more. It’s little wonder therefore that sustainability has become such a hot topic. Understandably, much attention has been given to highly visible and energy hungry items such as motors, but in many instances the energy waste is invisible – in the form of lost steam. Even small leaks add up significantly over time. Hans de Kegel of AVT Reliability explains.

When gas boosters are required for heating system there are a number of key issues that must be taken into account to ensure reliable and efficient performance. Bernard Dawson, tTechnical director of Riello, explains.

Biomar Grangemouth has cut between 9 and 10% off its annual gas bill with the help of a system to recover energy from flash steam that would otherwise be lost to atmosphere. The aquaculture manufacturer says that the energy savings alone mean that the Flash Recovery Energy Management Equipment (FREME) engineered system from Spirax Sarco has paid for itself around 10 times in the four years since installation.

PWE reports on a new technical conference workshop to help you comply with your legal obligations.

The Combustion Engineering Association’s (CEA) July conference in Manchester on new HSE guidance for steam and hot water boiler plant, highlighted the most significant development in the steam industry for over a decade.

With energy conservation an increasingly hot topic within the process heating industry, stakeholders are now looking towards innovative methods to reduce energy consumption. Rob Brown, technical manager for Industrial Boiler Plants at Bosch Commercial and Industrial Heating, explains how a combination of technologies can be used to accompany a steam boiler to maximise energy efficiency.

Oxygen Trim (O2 trim) is widely acknowledged as an essential element of burner control that allows boiler operators to reduce both energy costs and associated harmful emissions. Over the past two decades O2 trim has evolved from basic systems that adjusted mechanical linkage characterising cams using Bowden cables through to today’s microprocessor controlled electronic linkageless burner management systems that employ highly accurate and repeatable servo motors to position air dampers and fuel drives. Mick Barstow, sales manager UK & Republic of Ireland, reports.

Why in many organisations is the boilerhouse often overlooked? It is just there, and it keeps producing steam or hot water and only when it stops or it affects production do people take an interest. Boilers are seen as a service to production, often very little consideration is given to the equipment or the people who look after and maintain them. PWE reports.

Anybody running combustion plant from 1- 50MWth Input is very likely to be affected by the Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCP) from the European Union. David Kilpatrick director of the Combustion Engineering Association and council member Paul Whitehead talk to PWE about the implications for industry in the UK.

Boiler blowdown is probably one of the most regularly completed, but least understood areas of boiler operation. Blowing down a boiler is necessary to ensure that the boiler can deliver clean, dry steam to the heating system, but getting it wrong can lead to preventable energy losses. Paul Mayoh, technical manager at Spirax Sarco, reports.

Aligning plant operation to demand is clearly sensible but it needs to take account of fundamental engineering principles. Bernard Dawson* explains how this principle applies to burner and boiler turndown.