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MINUTES OF MEETING

Technical Committee on Multiple Burner Boilers

January 14-15, 2014 PERA Club Tempe, AZ

I. Attendance: Principal Members/Staff: Mike Walz, Technical Committee Chair, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co., MO Denise Beach, NFPA, MA Frank Bennett, GenOn Energy, Inc., MD John Bollinger, Babcock & Wilcox Company, OH Dale Dressel, Solutia Incorporated, MO John Eibl, The DuPont Company, Inc., TN Dale Evely, Southern Company Services, AL Kris Gamble, Black & Veatch Corporation, KS David King, American Electric Power Service, OH Daniel Lee, ABB Incorporated, OH W. Scott Matz, Invensys Process Systems, TX John O’Rourke, ALSTOM Power Inc., CT (via teleconference) Michael Polagye, FM Global, MA Thomas Russell, Honeywell, Inc., TX Jimmie Schexnayder, Entergy Corporation, LA Celso Schmidt, UTC, TX Bill Smith, Exothermic Engineering LLC, MO Franklin Switzer, S-afe, Inc., IN Joseph Vavrek, Sargent & Lundy, LLC, IL Henry Wong, URS Corporation E&C, NJ Harold (Skip) Yates, HRY, Inc. Boiler Systems Consulting, MI Allan Zadiraka, OH (via teleconference) Alternates : Joseph Bittinger, American Electric Power Corporation, OH James Franks, XL Global Asset Protection Services, TN Jack Lehman, Exothermic Engineering LLC, NE Daniel May, Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, MO Jeff Parker, Salt River Project, AZ John Stevens, HF Controls Corporation, TX Guests : D. Paul Cannon, Hurst Technologies Joseph Fehr, Sega, Inc. Frank Fowler, SmartBurn LLC Jerry Gilman, SIS-Tech Ted Jablkowski, Fives North American Combustion Sinming Kwong, Emerson Process Management (via teleconference) Edward Lightbourn, SmartBurn LLC Tony Niu, Guodian Longyuan Technology Austin Pool, Hurst Technologies Donald Zissa, SIS-Tech

II. Minutes of Meeting: 1. Call to order. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 am MST on Jan 14, 2014. Chairman Walz welcomed committee members and guests and thanked them for their participation. 2. Introduction. The Committee members and guests introduced themselves and identified

their affiliation. 3. Minutes Approval. The minutes from the February 2013 meeting were approved as

written. 4. NFPA Staff Report. The NFPA staff liaison reviewed the new document revision process and

tools, including the new terminology, the revision cycle timeline, and the online public input submittal process. (Attachment A) NFPA staff reported that the NFPA Board of Directors approved a formal anti-trust policy at their November 2013 meeting (Attachment B).

5. Old Business.

A. Referenced Documents in Fundamentals Chapters. Mr. Switzer reported that the reference to NFPA 54 is applicable and appropriate.

B. Design Pressures Task Group. The task group scope has been expanded to include the following issues:

i. Current applications have fan capabilities up to 80 in., but the duct work is addressed only in the annex as a consideration. Is it time to establish structural requirements for the duct work?

ii. Does the committee need to review 35 in. limitation to reflect current designs/practices?

iii. The fan requirement is based on “cold, dense air”. Is that a realistic requirement, or should the code reflect typical ambient conditions.

iv. Should requirements be added to address positive pressure units that may be subjected to negative pressure when fuel valves close quickly on an MFT?

v. NFPA 85 refers to test block capability and design pressure inconsistently. Review each section for appropriateness.

The task group will continue to discuss these new questions for further consideration in the next revision cycle. The deadline for the task group report is the first quarter of 2015, or at least 8 weeks prior to the next scheduled meeting. The task group members are B. Smith (chair); D. Evely; J. Frazier; K. Gamble; D. King; J. Lehman; H. Wong; and A. Zadiraka.

C. Annexes B and C (Supervised Manual Systems). A task group was established to discuss this issue further. The task group members are: D. Dressel (chair); J. Eibl ; S. Yates; and A. Zadiraka. The task group recommended that Annex C be removed from the document in the 2015 edition, and that Annex B be retained until the 2019 edition. In addition, committee members and NFPA staff will reach out to chemical and petroleum industry groups to advise them of the upcoming change. These groups include the American Chemistry Council, the Center for Chemical Process Safety, and the American Petroleum Institute. Committee members are encouraged to contact NFPA staff if they identify any other interest groups. The task group was discharged with thanks.

6. New Business A. Create Second Revision of Chapter 6. The committee reviewed the public comments and other requests and created Second Revisions in chapter 6 and related annex text. The committee actions will be available in the Second Draft Report, which will be published no later than July 18, 2014. B. Valve Leak Testing Task Group. In discussion on the Second Revisions, the committee recognized that there are two valve leakage tests: the tightness test performed annually and the leak test performed prior to every startup. A task group was established to review these requirements for oil and gas systems to identify the purpose of each test and determine if both are appropriate and applicable to current practices. The task group members are: J. Parker (chair); P. Cannon; J. Gilman; S. Matz; C. Schmidt; F. Switzer. C. Review BCS-FUN actions. The committee briefly discussed Fundamentals actions of interest. D. Boiler Enclosure Definition/Purge Times. It has been reported that some boilers are being purged for much longer than 5 minutes because of the volume calculation and the requirement for 5 air changes. A task group was established to review and create recommendations concerning the length of purge times and purge rates relative to the size of the unit. The members of the task group are: J. Franks (chair); G. Gilman; D. King; J. O’Rourke; J. Parker; A. Zadiraka. The task group can consider developing a code fund project involving CFD modeling of basic furnace designs. The task group may also seek loss data from insurers, the National Board, and EPRI.

7. Plasma Arc Igniter. Edward Lightbourn and Frank Fowler of SmartBurn LLC presented information on plasma arc igniters (Attachment C). The committee discussed extensively the new technology. A task group was established to review igniter requirements in chapters 4 and 6 to determine what revisions, if any, would need to be made to recognize the application of plasma arc igniters. The task group members are: S. Yates (Chair); J. Eibl; K. Gamble; E. Lightbourn; S. Matz; M. Polagye; and B. Smith. The task group deadline is to provide recommendations at the proposed off-cycle meeting.

8. Other Items. The committee briefly discussed a recent application of a pressurized unit

being converted from coal to gas. Preliminary modeling indicates that the pressure may go significantly negative when fuel valves close quickly on an MFT. Currently, pressurized units don’t have to incorporate implosion protection. This issue was referred to the design pressures task group.

9. Next Meeting. The committee tentatively scheduled an off-cycle meeting in the second

quarter of 2015 in conjunction with a planned meeting of the BCS-SBB committee. Details will be provided as they become available.

10. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 am MST on Jan. 15, 2014.

Attachment A: NFPA Staff Presentation

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NFPA Second Draft Meeting

January 14-15, 2014

PERA Club

Tempe, AZ

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Multiple Burner Boilers

Welcome TC on


At this and all NFPA committee meetings we are concerned with your safety. If the fire alarm sounds, please proceed to an exit.

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Members, please verify/update your contact information

Use of tape recorders or other means capable of reproducing verbatim transcriptions of this or any NFPA meeting is not permitted

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GuestsAll guests are required to sign in and

identify their affiliation.

Participation is limited to TC members or those individuals who have previously requested time to address the committee. Other participation is granted at the discretion of the Chair.

Guest chairs are located around the room as a courtesy.

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Members categorized in ANY interest category who have been retained to represent the interests of ANOTHER interest category (with respect to a specific issue or issues that are to be addressed by a TC/CC) shall declare those interests to the committee and refrain from voting on any Public Input, Comment, or other matter relating to those issues throughout the process.

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General ProceduresFollow Robert’s Rules of Order.

Discussion requires a motion.

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Motions for Ending Debate Previous Question or “Call the Question”Not in order when another has the floor

Requires a second

This motion is not debatable and DOES NOT automatically stop debate

A 2/3 affirmative vote will immediately close debate and return to the original motion on the floor. Less then 2/3 will allow debate to continue.

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Committee member actions:

Member addresses the chair. Receives recognition from the chair. Introduces the motion. Another member seconds the

motion.

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Committee chair actions:

States the motion.Calls for discussion.Ensures all issues have been heard.Takes the vote.Announces the result of the vote.

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NFPA Second Draft MeetingNew Process – What’s New?

Changes in Terms:

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New Term Old Term

Input Stage ROP Stage

Public Input Proposal

First Draft Meeting ROP Meeting

Committee Input“Trial Balloon”

(or later, FR that fails ballot)

Committee Statement (CS) Committee Statement

First Revision (FR)Committee Proposal or Accepted

Public Proposal

First Draft Report ROP

First Draft ROP Draft

NFPA Second Draft MeetingNew Process – What’s New?

Changes in Terms:

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New Term Old Term

Comment Stage ROC Stage

Public Comment Public Comment

Second Draft Meeting ROC Meeting

Committee CommentComment that Failed Ballot

(Second Revision that failed ballot)

Second RevisionCommittee Comment or Accepted

Public Comment

Second Draft Report ROC

Second Draft ROC Draft


• Technical Committee Actions:

Resolving Public Comments Committee Action and Committee Statement

Creating Second Revisions

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• Resolving Public Comments (See Regs §4.4.8.1)Committee develops a Committee Action Accept

Reject but see…

Reject

Reject but Hold

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• Committee StatementsCommittee must clearly indicate reasons for not

accepting the recommendation and/or point to a relevant Second RevisionAll Public Comments Actions must have a

Committee StatementMust include a valid technical reasonNo vague references to “intent”Explain how the submitter’s substantiation is

inadequateNeither PC Action nor Committee Statements get

balloted

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• Create a Second Revision (SR)Committee wants to make a change (to

add, delete or modify) the First Draft.

Committee develops a Committee Statement (CS) substantiating the change.

Each SR gets balloted

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No “new material” after the Public Input Stage since it hasn’t had the benefit of public review.

What constitutes new material is decided by the TC or Correlating Committee.

Adding “new material” at this Comments stage could successfully be challenged through appeal to the NFPA Standards Council

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Formal voting Voting during meeting is used to

establish a sense of agreement (simple majority)Secured by letter ballot (2/3

agreement)Only the results of the formal ballot

determine the official position of the committee on the Second Draft

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Ballots are on the Second Revisions (SR) ONLYPublic Comments and Committee Statements not

ballotedReference materials are available - Second Draft, Public Comments, First Draft Report

Ballot form allows you to vote: Affirmative on all SRAffirmative on all SR with exceptions specifically

noted Ballot form provides a column for affirmative

with commentNote: This box only needs to be checked if there

is an accompanying comment. Reject or abstain requires a reason.

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Initial ballot Circulation of negatives and comments Members may change votes during

circulation Second Revision that fails letter ballot

shall be designated as a Committee Comment (in the 2nd Draft Report), marked as “Reject” and deleted from the Second Draft.

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Electronic Balloting • Ballots will be an online format• Alternates are strongly encouraged

to return ballots

• Ballot session will time out after 90 minutes

• Use “submit” to save your work

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Electronic Balloting

Click link on the ballot email received Sign in with NFPA.org Committee Login and

Password

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Select either Affirmative on All or Affirmative with Exception(s)

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Use “See FR/SR - #” link to review all First/Second Revisions

Use “Edit election” to change individual votes or to modify vote after submitting ballot.

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Choosing AFFIRMATIVE ON ALL


Make selection: Affirmative with Comment, Negative, or Abstain

No selection made-defaults to affirmative Must include comment on each vote.

Choosing AFFIRMATIVE WITH EXCEPTION(S)

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To complete ballot click Participant Consent and Submit

Return and edit any votes before ballot due date.

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TC Struggles with an Issue

• TC needs data on a new technology or emerging issue

• Two opposing views on an issue with no real data

• Data presented is not trusted by committee

Code Fund Lends a Hand

• TC rep and/or staff liaison submits a Code Fund Request

• Requests are reviewed by a Panel and chosen based on need / feasibility

Research Project Carried Out

• Funding for project is provided by the Code Fund and/or industry sponsors

• Project is completed and data is available to TC

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www.nfpa.org/codefund

LegalPatent: Disclosures of essential patent claims should be made by the patent holder, but others may also notify NFPA if they believe that a proposed or existing NFPA standard includes an essential patent claim.

Antitrust: the single most important provision-Federal law prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies which unreasonably restrain trade or commerce. Section 1 of the Sherman Act

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Legal

Activities Disapproved by the CourtsPacking meetings

Hiding commercial interest throwing the committees out of balance

Hiding scientific or technical information from committees

• No final decision-making authority to unbalanced Task Groups; include all interested parties.

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Doc Info Pages

Document Information

• Document scope• Current/Previous Edition

information• Issued TIAs, FIs and

Errata• Archived revision

information• Standard Council

Decisions• Articles and Reports• Read only document

Next Edition

• Submit Public Input/Comments via Electronic Submission System.

• Meetings and Ballots• ROP/ROC or First Draft

Report and Second Draft Report

• NITMAM and Standard Council Decisions

• Private TC info• Ballot circulations,

informational ballots and other committee info

Technical Committee

• Committee name, responsibility and scope

• Staff liaison• Committee list

• Private committee contact information

• Current committee documents in PDF format

• Committees seeking members and committee online application

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Any questions?

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Attachment B: NFPA Anti-Trust Policy

NFPA Antitrust Policy

The NFPA is a not for profit organization with a mission of promoting the science and improving the methods of

fire protection and prevention and electrical safety. The primary way in which the NFPA fulfills this mission is by

developing and disseminating safety standards intended to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other

risks.

The standards development process depends on volunteer participation by a diverse range of individuals on

behalf of numerous stakeholders including participants representing business and industry. As a result, antitrust

concerns can arise in connection with standards development activity.

It is the policy of the NFPA to strictly comply with state and federal antitrust laws, and the NFPA expects all

participants in NFPA standards development activities to conduct themselves in strict accordance with these

laws. NFPA minimizes the risk of antitrust problems by providing a forum for standards activities that is based

on the principles of openness, honesty, fairness and balance and that is conducted in accordance with published

rules and regulations. Each participant in the standards development process has the obligation to adhere to all

rules, regulations, and policies of the NFPA including, without limitation, the Regulations Governing the

Development of NFPA Standards. In addition, participants can draw valuable guidance on how to conduct

themselves by consulting NFPA’s Guide for Conduct of Participants in the NFPA Standards Development Process.

While compliance with NFPA’s standards developments rules and regulations is essential, it alone is not

sufficient to avoid conduct that may violate the antitrust laws. Participants must also avoid any conduct,

conversations or agreements that would constitute an unreasonable restraint of trade or be otherwise illegal

under the antitrust laws. Although it’s not possible to identify every situation that could be found to be

anticompetitive or a violation of antitrust laws, the following topics should NOT be addressed or discussed, even

informally, by or among competitors or other individuals in the course of their NFPA involvement:

- Profits, profit margins or cost data;

- Prices, rates, and fees;

- Selection, termination, division or allocation of customers, sales territories, or markets; or

- Refusal to deal with a specific business entity.

Participants in NFPA activities may receive antitrust training or advice from their employers or other

organizations or entities they represent. This NFPA antitrust policy, as well as other information or

presentations that NFPA may provide concerning the antitrust laws and standards development, are not

intended to take the place of such training or advice; nor are they intended to constitute legal advice to

participants. In addition to consulting with their legal counsel, however, participants can assist NFPA and their

fellow participants by refusing to engage in inappropriate discussions and by speaking up if they have questions

or concerns about any matter or discussion that occurs in the course of NFPA standards development activities.

Participants should bring matters of concern to the attention of NFPA staff. Any participant may also raise

questions regarding this policy to the NFPA’s General Counsel.

Attachment C: SmartBurn LLC Presentation

1PICS Introduction – NFPA MBB Jan 15 2014

Plasma Ignition & Combustion Stabilizing (PICS) Technology


Plasma Ignition Introduction

� System Benefits

� History of Adoption

� Plasma Ignition Basics

� Ignition Process

� NFPA Classification

� Next Steps

� Appendix


Objectives

� Introduce PICS to the NFPA MBB Technical Committee

– PICS is widely adopted in China

– YTLY is the leading manufacturer with over 90% market share

– Developed to achieve national goal to eliminate use of oil fuel for

boiler startup/shutdowns

– PICS is of interest to U.S. utilities because of compelling benefits

� Discuss applicable NFPA Code

– Plasma ignition has been on the MBB Technical Committee agenda

since at least 2012

� Discuss next steps


Plasma Ignition Benefits to Coal Fired Generators

� Payback a combination of:

– Reduced use of igniter fuel – typically oil – for startup/shutdowns

– Better low-load performance from combustion stabilization

– Avoided generation cost during off-peak periods

– New build units can save oil systems, payback during commissioning

� PICS can supplement existing igniters w/o full replacement

� PM emissions lower & collection systems function better during startup

– Mitigates issues with loss of startup/shutdown exemption, if ESP

– Reduces PM collection system maintenance issues


Benefits to Coal EGUs- Oil Savings

� US EGUs spend up to $1B yearly in support fuel (EIA – 2011 Data)

� Turndown savings may exceed startup cost savings


Oil vs. PICS Warm-up Flame


PICS Application Milestones

� 1997- Yantai Longyuan began developing plasma ignition technology

� 2000- First oil-free startup using PICS in a 50 MWe unit

� 2002- First T-Fired application of PICS in a 600 MWe unit

� 2004- First Wall-Fired application of PICS in a 600 MWe unit

� 2006- First ultra-supercritical application of PICS in a 1000 MWe unit


Applications Outside of China

NO Country NameUnit

CapacityRetrofit /

NewFurnace

ConfigurationCoal

1 S. Korea Samchonpo 560MW Retrofit T-firing Bituminous

2 S. Korea Yonghung 870MW New T-firing Bituminous

3 S. Korea Hadong 2 x 500MW New T-firing Bituminous

4 Russia Khabarovsk 3rd 180MW RetrofitSide Wall opposed

firedBituminous

5 S. Korea Hadong 500MW New T-firing Bituminous

6 Indonesia Suralaya 600MW Retrofit Wall firedSub-

bituminous

7 Turkey Eren 2 x 600MW Retrofit Wall fired Bituminous

8 S. Korea Yonghung 2 x 870MW New T-firing Bituminous

� Over 650 Units and 275 GW Installed within China to date


Plasma Ignition Basics

� Plasma generates ionized gas produced by air flow through electric arc

� High temperature gas is used to directly ignite a portion of burner coal flow


Principle of PlCS--Plasma Burner

� Typical features of current burner shown – diversity of physical designs from YTLY and others

� Coal abrasion & low NOx features retained

Plasma Lance

Burner “Stages”

Coal Concentration

Features

Stage Support Structure


Plasma Ignition Basics – Temperature (F)

� Pulverized coal passes through the plasma arc with high temperature

chemically active ions. Coal particles are rapidly gasified, releasing volatile matter which is ignited by the flame.

Side View

Igniter Zone Intermediate

Zone Coal

Flame

Burner Zone

Ignition Zone

Coal Flame


Plasma vs Conventional Ignition

� Conventional Coal Igniters– Coal is not ignited until just outside the burner tip

– Coal devolatilization and pyrolysis occurs slowly as coal particles heat up

– Electromechanical device

– Max flame temperature (adiabatic, equivalence ratio ideal) 2100 °C (oil) & 1960 °C

(natural gas)

� Plasma Igniter– Portion of coal is lit downstream of the elbow. Initial ignition propagates through

successive stages inside the burner. Flame moves to furnace when igniter turned off

– Concentrated 5000°C (typ) plasma arc quickly shatters & devolatilizes coal (low heating/drying time)

– Solid state device and control systems

– Plasma energy input of 1% of rated burner heat input sufficient to ensure combustion

– Coal is the igniter fuel, so heat input = fuel burned in burners w/ PICS > 10% of boiler

heat input


Safety Considerations

� Combustion process is engineered – ignition occurs in a controlled space (burner rings) rather than at front of burner in furnace cavity as with an oil/gas igniter

� PA velocity > coal flame propagation speed prevents flame from propagating backward – same as conventional igniters

� Much higher flame temperature rather than oil/gas flame

� High degree of Plasma lit discrimination (high voltage & current condition)


Safety Considerations

� Plasma generator power supply => solid state reliability

� Multiple instruments verify PICS in service & burner flame:

– Current flow to PICS

– Visual camera

– Redundant main burner flame scanners on main burner (vs one on

igniter & one on burner for oil)

� Performance to be verified by test under 4.7.7.1.1

� Typical problems of oil / gas igniters avoided

– No atomizer tip clogging

– No liquid flow control devices


Primary Air Requirements

� Primary Air characteristics can have a strong impact on performance of all igniters

� Since PICS works by first igniting the coal volatiles in primary air, an incorrect PA to coal ratio or PA flow rate will impair ability of PICS to complete ignition including char particles

� PICS PA requirements are similar to those of a standard PC boiler/mills

Property PICS ideal range

PICS requiredrange

B&W millsrequired range*

PA Velocity(m/s)

18-20 16-28 15-22

PA/Coal Ratio

2.8-3.3 1.8-4.0 1.6-4.2

*Steam: its generation and use, ed. 41, pg. 13-7


Classification Discussion

� PICS can accomplish all functions of a Class I Igniter, including ignition and combustion support

� Staged ignition of coal allows PICS to achieve stable coal ignition

despite relatively low heat input

� Plasma temperature is sufficient to ignite coal under all credible

combinations of fuel and air

– Testing under section 4.7.7.1.1 will be performed for each installation rather than

rely on general guidelines which are typically not tested

– A.4.7.7 “Many factors affect the classification of the igniters, including the

characteristics of the main fuel, the combustion chamber and the burner design,

and the igniter capacity and location relative to the main burner”

� 10% Guideline result of intrinsic oil and gas flame characteristics

– Relatively low oil flame temperature, and exposed position in furnace, requires

more energy input to ignite coal volatiles


Classification Discussion

� 3.3.85.1 Class 1 Igniter. An igniter that is applied to ignite the fuel input through the burner and to support ignition under any burner light-off or operating conditions. Its location and capacity are such that it

will provide sufficient ignition energy, generally in excess of 10 percent of full load burner input, at its associated burner to raise any credible combination of burner inputs of both fuel and air above the minimum ignition temperature.


Credible Combinations of Fuel and Air

� Propose defining “credible combinations” in terms of percent of the maximum primary air and coal flow for Cold and Hot furnaces

� For MPS 89 Mill propose +/- 3% Coal Flow and +/- 10% air flow uncertainty

Credible Range -

Cold Furnace

Credible Range -

Hot Furnace


Closing Remarks

� Plasma ignition offers opportunities to:

– Safely improve economic competiveness of coal fired generators

– Reduce emissions

� YTLY is discussing PICS with interested parties:

– NFPA Committee

– Prospective Clients (opportunistically)

• Demonstration projects to prove system value to EGU’s and safety

• Carry out testing to demonstrate ignition under all credible combinations of air & fuel

– Insurers, AHJs & other

� YTLY and SmartBurn are seeking guidance from the committee on the next steps to commercialize the technology in the US.

– Does the MBB Technical Committee believe the current code is adequate?

– Discuss next steps


Contact Information

SmartBurn, LLC� Frank Fowler, V.P. Of Business Development

– 319-360-5373, [email protected]

� Edward Lightbourn, Engineering Manager


Guodian Longyuan Tech. USA

� Tony Niu, President
