Modeling a computational program with mass and energy balances

Abstract: After the extension of the boiler 6 at Högdalenverket during 2010, there has been some problems in the form of increased carbon monoxide levels. There may be several explanations for this problem, which means that complete combustion doesent take place. There have also been problems with the ash-handling system and the sand returning systemt, this results in higher operating costs because it requires a higher consumption of inert material.The project was first divided into two phases, the first phase was to develop material and energy balances for the boiler but also introduce the parameters that we wanted to investigate further in order to possibly identify the causes of the problems that the boiler had. In the second phase experiments were going to be designed in consultation with the contact staff at Fortum to explore these parameters.During the project changes have been made in the project description, as it will require more time and more accurate planning to perform  the desired tests on the boiler. Three proposals on parameters that could be the cause of carbon monoxide problem was presented at the end of phase one and it was found that two of the proposals was not possible to carry out during the project because it would have affected economically and the availibility of the boilier.The third parameter, the bed quality effect on combustion experiment was designed in consultation with those responsible at Fortum.This experiment could also not be performed as there was some operational difficulties with the boiler during the project time. Instead, a description of the design for the experiment has been added to this project, which may at a later stage be used to investigate the bed quality impact on the carbon monoxide issues.Recent changes to the project description meant that purpose instead was to further develop the computational program created during the project's first phase and at the end of the project shall be submitted to the operators at Fortum. This calculation program takes into account the significant parameters that the boiler regulator is governed by today. The simulation program is developed using Microsoft Excel and is based on material and energy balances. This program can be used internally by Fortum to get an idea of ​​how the different mass flow rates would vary at different operating conditions and how the energy balance for the boiler would look like during the changes.When compared with materials and energy made by the boiler supplier revealed that the deviations are very small compared to what the program come up with and is caused mainly due to the assumptions made. These assumptions can be eliminated by performing experiments and collecting more data.The results gained by the calculation program has been compared with the results that was presented by the supplier during their boiler mapping, comparisons have been made regarding flue gas flows, fuel flows, combustion air flow, ash production and energy balances. It has apperad that the deviations are relatively small and the presented scheme provides a theoretical overall perspective of the boiler in line with reality.Although discussions have taken into consideration for the problem of elevated levels of carbon monoxide, and whether the measurement program can be developed further in the future.