Demonstration of Low-NOx Burner Retrofit for Dual-Fuel Package Boilers: Equipment Selection Criteria and Initial Findings
Abstract
The Department of Defense operates nearly 600 Army boilers serving small clusters separate from central heating networks. Air pollution control regulations may require that these burners be either replaced or made cleaner and more efficient. Improved performance may be possible by retrofitting these small conventional boilers with high-efficiency, low nitrogen oxide (NO sub x) dual-fuel burners in the 4 to 30 million Btu per hour (MBtu/h) firing range. In this study, low-NO sub x replacement burners were retrofitted to firetube boilers at two Army installations for side-by-side comparison with conventional burners based on efficiency, cleanliness, and cost payback. Replacement burners were selected by the following minimum criteria: (1) a 5:1 turndown ratio, (2) excess air requirements of 10 to 20 percent throughout the firing range, and (3) emission levels of less than 50 ppm NO sub x, and carbon monoxide (CO). Preliminary findings show that retrofit of high-efficiency burner systems to firetube boilers may result in lowered NO sub x, emissions and a slight average efficiency gain compared to conventional burner systems. Based on present findings, fuel savings are calculated to recover additional capital cost in less that 4 years. Long-range monitoring and performance analysis continues.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA262927
Entities
People
- Christopher Blazek
- Hamid Abbasi
- Martin J. Savoie
- Noel L. Potts
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory