Two significant items were noted from this testing. First, the individual MIC sensor data indicated that the majority of the coal flow (approximately 75%) was located in the bottom one-third of the burner lines. These results help to explain why the RotorProbe™ often returns inaccurate results when sampling from horizontal burner lines.
Second, since the RotorProbe™ provides only a “snapshot” of the distribution data (approximately two recovered samples @ 4 minutes each), it may not be totally representative if variability occurs in the coal and primary airflow. The MIC One measured slight changes in the percent coal flow deviations over the entire test time of approximately eight hours. For the comparison, the sensor data were averaged for the entire test period. FERCo has presented these results, and results from other tests, in several papers that are available upon request.
It should be noted that the MIC system is not an extractive sampling system. That is to say, if coal mass flows are required for air/fuel ratio calculations or recovery rates, then a traditional sampling system, such as the RotorProbe™, is required. An extractive method is also required for pulverized coal fineness analysis. FERCo highly recommends the RotorProbe™ over other extractive methods due to its international acceptance and its proven accuracy. FERCo has used the RotorProbe™ to measure and/or balance the coal flow distribution on more than 80 pulverizers over the last ten years. Our coal flow balancing experience with the RotorProbe™ is summarized in separate literature on this subject. This new MIC portable microwave technology compliments our current program of providing our customers with accurate and professional consulting services for coal flow distribution testing. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this new technology and assist in its application at your site.
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