We have a relatively small (80 M3) silo that is used for temporary storage of bottom ash from a 500 MW boiler.
The issue is that we keep getting smouldering fires inside the silo and this causes huge blockages which, in turn, require an expensive effort to clear. The ash that is entering the silo is relatively cool (30 dC) but high in unburnt carbon (coal). We clear the silo every 4 hrs but this is not enough and our only, apparent option is to bypass the silo storage capability by parking a truck, permanantly under it with the discharge open.
Other than the obviouse the milling plant is in fairly poor condition and the coal fired into the boiler is blended with biomass (woodchip) at approx 3% by volume.
Our 'record' at the moment is 4 hrs from empty silo to fire, blockage and removal from service.
My question is - Is there a basic design premise that can be used to alleviate this issue or are there some schools of thought out there on what we may be doing wrong? ■
Silo Blockage Issues
We have a relatively small (80 M3) silo that is used for temporary storage of bottom ash from a 500 MW boiler.
The issue is that we keep getting smouldering fires inside the silo and this causes huge blockages which, in turn, require an expensive effort to clear. The ash that is entering the silo is relatively cool (30 dC) but high in unburnt carbon (coal). We clear the silo every 4 hrs but this is not enough and our only, apparent option is to bypass the silo storage capability by parking a truck, permanantly under it with the discharge open.
Other than the obviouse the milling plant is in fairly poor condition and the coal fired into the boiler is blended with biomass (woodchip) at approx 3% by volume.
Our 'record' at the moment is 4 hrs from empty silo to fire, blockage and removal from service.
My question is - Is there a basic design premise that can be used to alleviate this issue or are there some schools of thought out there on what we may be doing wrong? ■