ABB Measurement Products has published a free beginner's guide to combustion, providing a step-by-step process in achieving optimum combustion efficiency for any application using a combustion plant.
Poor control of the combustion process can lead to damage of a plant, such as soot formation or flue duct corrosion. If left unresolved, these can result in increasing maintenance expenditure and a reduction in the plant life cycle. Combustion optimisation can help operators improve process efficiency, reduce environmental impact and maintenance requirements.

The guide covers the key parameters that affect combustion performance, such as fuel flow rate, moisture content and composition; temperature; and pressure. It explains the importance of oxygen measurement in combustion and how this can be used to optimize the air/fuel ratio to reduce harmful emissions and improve efficiency.

The guide also highlights how the latest generation of MCERTified Zirconia oxygen sensors (ATEX/ IECEx) can be deployed to measure oxygen concentration, together with the advantages of using in-situ analysers over portable devices. Potential pitfalls such as partial pressure effects and errors caused by combustibles in flue gases are explained thoroughly with calculation examples and simplified equations.

Written by ABB experts, the combustion optimisation beginner's guide is aimed at anyone looking to improve the efficiency of their combustion plant.

Copies of the guide are available in PDF format, on request. For your copy, email moreinstrumentation@gb.abb.com or phone 0870 600 6122 ref: 'combustion'.