Research of performance indicators and adjustment of operating modes of a power boiler by optimization of the fuel combustion process

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the necessity to ensure reliable and efficient operation of pulverized coal power boilers under conditions of using solid fuel with variable technical characteristics. Under modern conditions of shortage of design fuel and instability of the fuel base, particular importance is attached to the adaptation of boiler equipment to the combustion of low-grade coal without significant structural modifications. The purpose of the work is to investigate the operating parameters and adjust the operating modes of the TP-47 boiler by optimizing the combustion process during the combustion of off-design coal. To achieve this goal, operational and adjustment tests of a TP-47 pulverized coal drum boiler with natural circulation were carried out in the load range of 65–90 % of the nominal heat output. During the study, the influence of changes in fuel characteristics on the boiler heat output, excess air coefficient, superheated steam temperature, coal grinding quality, and stability of pulverizing systems operation was determined. It was established that the TP-47 boiler provides stable operation when firing coal with reduced calorific value without significant violation of operating parameters. A close-to-linear dependence of the excess air coefficient on the boiler heat output was determined. Deterioration of fuel grinding fineness with increasing boiler load was revealed, which may lead to increased heat losses due to mechanical incomplete combustion. The possibility of stable boiler operation at the minimum permissible load without the use of reserve fuel was established. The practical significance of the work lies in the possibility of using the obtained results for optimization of operating modes of power boilers, increasing fuel flexibility, and ensuring stable operation of thermal power equipment under conditions of variable fuel quality.

Recieved: 15.03.2026. Recieved: 19.05.2026. Accepted: 22.06.2026