When should sootblowers for heating surfaces be utilized when firing coal?

The utilization of sootblowers for heating surfaces is critical in maintaining boiler efficiency, especially when firing coal. Through the combustion process, soot and other deposits can accumulate on heat transfer surfaces, limiting heat absorption and reducing efficiency. Using sootblowers once per shift is considered optimal because it strikes a balance between maintaining the cleanliness of the heating surfaces without excessive disruption to boiler operations.

Operating sootblowers at this frequency helps ensure that any buildup of soot is effectively removed, allowing for efficient heat transfer and maintaining the boiler's operational efficiency. It also minimizes the potential for increased fuel consumption that can result from heat loss due to soot accumulation.

Using sootblowers more frequently, such as once every hour or continuously, could lead to unnecessary wear and tear on the equipment and disrupt the combustion process, while utilizing them only once per shift is typically sufficient to keep the heating surfaces clean for optimal performance.