On-line non-intrusive measurements of the velocity and particle size distribution of pulverised fuel on a full scale power plant

This paper presents an integrated instrumentation system based on electrostatic sensing and digital imaging techniques for quantifying the characteristics of pulverized fuel flow. The system is designed to provide quantitative measurements of velocity and particle size distribution in an online, non-intrusive and continuous manner. The velocity of pulverized fuel is determined by cross correlating signals derived from the electrostatic sensors with arc-shaped electrodes. The particle size distribution is obtained using a digital imaging sensor. Demonstration trials were conducted on a 480mm bore vertical pipeline feeding a 350MWth furnace on a commercial power plant. The basic principles and sensor design of the system are presented. Experimental results demonstrate that the integrated system is capable of providing pulverized fuel velocity and particle size distribution measurements simultaneously under a real industrial environment.