The CFB Summerside project initial operating experience with 18 tph afbc heating boilers

Initial operating experience with Canada's first commercial FBC boiler plant, located at CFB Summerside, PEI, is described. The plant consists of two boilers rated at 18,000 kg/h of steam at MCR, operating at 965 kPa saturated steam and designed for highsulphur coal with supplementary firing of wood chips. The boilers were operated intermittently from December 1982 until May 1983, and in May one boiler was subjected to an acceptance test campaign of about two weeks, during which it performed satisfactorily, at loads ranging from 110% MCR to the maximum design turndown ratio of 4.5:1. Assessment of it's performance in terms of efficiency and emissions awaits completion of laboratory analyses and data reduction. During commissioning, problems with cold fluidization were encountered, and it was established that careful control of limestone sizing is required. Also, high moisture and fines in the coal caused significant problems in the materials handling system. Some erosion of boiler tubes in the bed zone was observed, and to prevent further deterioration the affected areas were covered with a thin layer of hard refractory. This appears to have had no detrimental effect on steam output. Further work remains to be done, but it appears likely that during the next heating season both boilers will be fully commissioned and all requirements for acceptance will be met.