Thermal Mass Flow Meter Supports Feedback Control Loop In Boiler System For Thermal Electric Power Generation

By Hu Yaqi, Zhejiang Guohua Zheneng Power Generation Co., Ltd. and Steve Craig, Fluid Components International LLC (FCI)

To meet China’s growing need for electric power generation, the Guohua Ninghai Power Plant has a total planned operating capacity of 4 x 600 MW [Phase 1]. The plant is located south of Shanghai in Ninghai township, Ningbo city, Zhejiang province and serves the electric power needs in the region.

The Ninghai plant relies on coal-fired steam driven turbine to generate electricity with six sets of HP-983 medium speed coal mills supporting a tangentially corner-fired boiler. The plant’s large production operations are complex.

Coal is first fed from silos at the plant to coal mill pulverizers, which grinds the coal to a fine powder. A fan forces a flow of blended primary ambient air and pre-heated air into the coal mill where the air and coal powder are mixed to provide combustion air to a furnace, heating water in a boiler which produces steam to drive power-generating turbines. The plant’s sophisticated energy efficient boiler control system requires accurate and responsive air flow measurement.