The reduced O₂ levels resulted in an increased boiler efficiency and there were no detrimental effect on CO emissions which were kept at a low level.

Ecotube air staging

This is the original Ecotube concept where the combustion air in the primary combustion zone is reduced and instead added later through the Ecotubes. This air staging gives a lower oxygen concentration in the primary combustion zone which results in less NOx and the high energy air jets give a mixing that is superior to traditional methods. This is the same concept as that used in an Over Fire Air (OFA) system, but the higher precision in the air injection and higher turbulence that can be created gives a significantly better performance.

The efficient mixing improves the burnout and allows operation at lower levels of excess air, which gives lower flue gas flow and therefore lower fan duties on both FD and ID fans. The experience is that generation of fly ash is usually reduced by 10-15% which together with the lower flue gas flow reduces the duty of the filters and improves their performance. The lower level of excess air will also result in lower velocities in the convective parts, which together with the lower amount of fly-ash will reduce erosion.

The lower oxygen concentration at the furnace exit gives an increase in the overall thermal efficiency. The rule of thumb is that in a power generating boiler 1% reduction in furnace oxygen gives 0.5% higher thermal efficiency.

The amount of unburned carbon in the formed fly-ash is also typically lower, which means that the ash can be sold at a better price.

Ecotube SNCR

The Ecotube can be combined with an integral SNCR system where Ammonia or Urea is injected into the air jets. This gives a number of significant advantages over a traditional SNCR system:

- The turbulent mixing reduces any CO in this zone, which gives the SNCR more optimal conditions to work in. Whilst it is well known that SNCR does not work well in high CO environments, Ecotube SNCR doesn't have this problem.
- Better control of the dosing and distribution of reactants results in lower consumption of chemicals as well as lower slip compared to traditional SNCR technology.
- Traditional SNCR uses water to carry the reactants into the reaction zone whilst Ecotube SNCR uses the air jets to carry the reactants to their target zone. The water consumption is therefore significantly lower.

Ecotube FGR

Flue Gas Recirculation (FGR) is a well understood method for reduction of NOx emissions. Part of the flue gases are returned to the combustion zone together with the combustion air, which results in a lower oxygen concentration and lower peak flame temperatures. Oxygen concentration and temperature in the combustion zone are two of the factors that determine how much NOx is formed, so this has a strong effect on NOx emissions. This approach in combination with an Ecotube has proved a powerful combination.

Ecomb has seen a reduction of NOx emissions in the order of 25-35% in FGR only installations. These plant are firing coal, biomass, MSW and co-firing of coal and biomass in the size 22 - 270 MWth. Further reduction is achieved by the air staging and SNCR.

P-Ecotube (reburning)

The Ecotube offers a perfect platform for introduction of reactants other than in SNCR. The current development work is focussed on the reburning concept where a secondary fuel, like wood dust, in combination with air staging is used to create successive zones of alternating fuel rich and fuel lean conditions. This has been proved to be a powerful approach for reduction of NOx emissions and will be possible to combine with the air-staging, SNCR and FGR that is already part of the Ecotube family of emission control technologies.

Development work on other additives like lime for SOx control etc. are in the pipeline.

Furnace inspection / Boiler diagnostic investigation

ECOMB are often commissioned to carry out furnace inspections using their ECOMB in-furnace cameras. These are video cameras mounted at the end of water cooled probes which allow visual inspection of the inside of a boiler in places that cannot be seen through the inspection ports. Cameras with a built in LED light source can be used in normally dark areas of a boiler like in the convective pass.

The furnace inspection is often extended into a full boiler diagnostic investigation, which apart from the camera inspection also contains an investigation of furnace temperature using a suction pyrometer and gas analysis mapping of the upper parts of the furnace using a water cooled gas probe and analyser. This data is combined with data from the existing analysers (CEMS, etc.) and any other available data for an analysis of the performance of the boiler and identification of available actions for improved performance and solutions to identified problems.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Two of the Ecomb partners have in-house capabilities for CFD simulations of part or whole combustion systems. Below is one example of a CFD simulation showing how the high concentration of CO in the lower part of the boiler (red) is eliminated when the gases are passing the two Ecotubes half way up the combustion chamber. This creates excellent conditions for SNCR in the upper part if required. This type of simulation is carried out as a standard before an Ecotube installation, but can also be carried out as a standalone contract.

Combustion Consulting Services

ECOMB offers general consulting support for combustion plants and particularly combustion related troubleshooting support. This is an area where both Ecomb AB and BioC Ltd are active and complement each other's expertise and experience. We see this partnership as a very positive development that will strengthen both organisations.

Common problem areas in combustion plants, encountered by ECOMB, are:
- Poor mixing/laminar flue gas flow
- Uneven temperatures and gas velocities
- Poorly utilized furnace volumes
- High NOx emissions
- Frequent CO spikes
- High SNCR reagent consumption
- High Ammonia slip

These are all areas where Ecomb and BioC have specialist knowledge, based on a detailed understanding of the combustion process, and a long experience of finding solutions to this type of problem.

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If you have questions or would like further information, please get in touch with BioC directly if you are based in the UK. We will be pleased to arrange a meeting where we can discuss your particular issues in more detail. For non-UK clients, please go to the ECOMB website (www.ecomb.se) where you will be able to find contact information.

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