Differential pressure measurement: a simple, early warning, condition monitoring tool for detecting the development of faults in boiler dry ash collectors.

New South Wales (Australia) has limits for boiler particulate emissions to air of 250mg/Nm 3 dry basis corrected to 12% CO 2 . Harwood Mill and refinery operates its boiler for 51 weeks each year with only a standard dry collector system to achieve compliance. Non-conforming results have been recorded as the boiler collector exhibits signs of wear with age. This paper builds on the experiences reported in previous ASSCT (Australian Society of Sugar Cane Technologists) papers to explain how Harwood personnel have installed a simple system for detecting when faults are developing and where within the collector to look for these faults. Early intervention can then be planned and executed within the narrow maintenance window available each year.