SECONDARY AIR DAMPER CONTROL(SADC)

C.R.PAL,Sr Mgr(PS)
Secondary Air Damper Control(SADC) is an important and salient feature
of modern CE design corner-fired boiler. Few no of windbox dampers are
used to distribute air in the furnace for better combustion.The very
purpose of SADC is not to control secondary air flow but its
distribution. Pre-set value of Furnace to Windbox(WB) dp is maintained
by modulating WB dampers and thereby maintaining flame at desired
position at furnace. Fuel elevation dampers are adjusted to get a stable
flame from about 300 mm away from the nozzle. More fuel air shifts the
flame further away and makes flame unstable & less fuel air results in
burning within the nozzle and hence results in over-heating.
There are six Fuel(Coal) elevation dampers(A,B,C,D,E,F); three Fuel-Oilcum Aux Air dampers(AB,CD,EF); and three Aux Air dampers(BC,DE,FF).
Another damper situated at the bottom-most position, namely AA damper is
not connected to SADC circuit and operated manually. It is also called
anti-slag damper due to its use in controlling slag formation. Its
opening is also decided by the amount of bottom ash combustible.

In SADC, Furnace to WB dp is maintained at 40 mmwcl upto 30% boiler

load(ie steam flow). It is mainly required for purging & very little
amount of fuel flow at that condition. When boiler load increases, the
dp is ramped up to 70 mmwcl for boiler load from 30% to 60% and
maintained at this level. This value of saturated WB dp can be increased
or decreased through a biasing pot, situated on the plaque.
Coal elevation dampers are designed to modulate as a function of feeder
rpm. But at KTPS these dampers are closed as the feeders are not
gravimetric and as recommended by BHEL(after a lot of tripping through
Flame Failure).Fuel Oil-cum-Aux air dampers will act as Aux air dampers
so long there is no oil burner at that elevation. As soon as the oil
burners are pressed into service, then these dampers will open
fully(actualy 80%) to cater the air demand for high Calorific Value
fuel. It will remain open until the purging is completed. Aux air
dampers are responsible for maintaining Furnace to WB dp and will
modulate accordingly. Dampers of all 4 corners will be in same position
of opening/closing.
Interlocks
1. Aux air damper or Fuel oil-cum-Aux air dampers at any elevation will
close if its adjacent coal mills are not in service and boiler load is
>30%.
2. In case of Boiler tripping(ie MFR) or loss of both ID/FD fans all
dampers will open fully and control will go to manual. This will also
occur in case of dp>240 mmwcl.
Instrumentation
There are two dp transmitters(Tx) namely DPT1 & DPT2 to get Furnace to
WB dp. Values of both Tx are shown on the UCP plaque. Any one of the Tx
is selected for control. If deviation between two Tx are higher than a
preset value an annunciation will appear & control will go to manual.
But it will not occur if Defeat Switch(situated on the plaque) is
operated.
Furnace to WB dp can be adjusted with the biasing pot on the plaque.
Percentage opening(command) of dampers, dp set point and biasing are on
shown on plaque.

Actual damper position is just the reverse of the power cylinder

position ie. If power cylinder is fully closed, damper is fully open &
vice versa. From outside the windbox we see the power cylinders to
operate. Logic power of SADC is +10 v DC.
Schematic diagram of the circuit as below.

DPT1

DPT2

SELECTOR SW

SET-PT

BIAS

Field side

I/P

Control Room

Signal to 4
corners of
Windbox