Abstract for: The Impact of the Ash Handling Plant Failures on Ash Hopper Levels and Boiler Load Loss

Ash is hazardous waste produced during boiler coal combustion in a coal-fired power plant and can be classified either as bottom/coarse or fly ash/dust. Ash is removed using either mechanical (conveyors), hydraulic (pumping) or pneumatic (air) systems. The removed ash can be disposed of in ash dumps or ash dams. It is vital to ensure that ash dams and dumps do not contravene environmental legislations by causing underground water contamination or air pollution. The ash handling plant is made up of Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP), ash hoppers, ash conveyers and ash dams or dumps. The unavailability of the ash handling plant can lead to load losses and subsequent loss of revenue. Unsatisfactory operation or lack of maintenance of the ash handling plant can lead to the contravention of the environmental legislations. This paper focuses on the potential failures of the mechanical conveying systems for a coal-fired power station, and its impact on ash hopper levels and boiler load losses. A system dynamics simulation model was developed for the power station to assess the impacts of the ash handling plant on ash hopper levels and boiler load losses.