Research and development and its contribution to improvement in coal-fired plant performance

A range of engineering and operating problems arising on coal-fired power stations are described together with selected research and development facilities and expertise which have been applied to improve efficiency and availability. Many of the developments and facilities which contribute to improved plant performance are available from the CEGB under contract or from manufacturers operating under licence. The authors discuss several developments connected with boilers including: control systems; boiler performance modelling; solids flowmeters; sonic pyrometry; system leak location; and carbon-in-ash monitoring. Efficiency studies of turbines and condensers, and fibre optic technology advances are also discussed