The influence of control vanes on pneumatic conveying of pulverised fuel at a trifurcator

Abstract Distribution of pulverised fuels in pneumatic conveying to conventional boilers is an ongoing research area with the intention of improving the performance of power-generating plants. One of the major challenges is the issue of obtaining an even fuel distribution across the fuel carrying lines to the burners or a customised distribution that satisfies the boiler load demand. A 1/3rd scale pneumatic conveying test rig was tested with inert cenosphere powder in a 3-way split configuration. Flow control vanes, similar to those applied in power plant pulverised fuel conveying lines were fitted into the junction and controlled using pneumatic proportional control actuators to alter the distribution of the powder in the three downstream branch pipes extending from the trifurcator. The measurement of the powder mass flux in each stream was carried out and the sensitivity of the particulate stream was assessed with respect to interference from the vane positions at the trifurcator.