Soot blower performance interference and failure analysis in the boiler subcritical steam power plant

Coal Steam Power plant is commonly used powerplant type in Indonesia.The combustion of coal produces ash that can cause slagging and fouling in boiler pipes.To address these issues and prevent a decline in boiler performance, a soot blower is utilized.The soot blower functions to remove ash, dust, and soot adhering to the boiler pipes using steam extracted from the boiler components at a specific pressure.However, the soot blower frequently encounters operational disruptions and failures, with an annual incidence of around 30 cases.These operational disturbances and failures can potentially contribute to deposit buildup and a decrease in the performance of the boiler components, ultimately impacting the overall power plant operation.Therefore, it is crucial to analyze the root causes of the operational disruptions and failures of the soot blower system to maintain its reliability within the boiler.This study employs a field study method, collecting operation and maintenance data of the soot blower in the power plant unit.The analysis reveals that the placement of the soot blower in the boiler has varying impacts on each component due to different performance loads at different locations.Damage occurs in approximately 32.38% of the soot blower instances at level 1 and 2 locations, specifically affecting the soot blower numbers 70, 81, 82, 91, 92, 94, and 96.The lance tube is the most commonly damaged part, leading to system vibrations, increased motor performance, and reduced boiler efficiency.