Combining and applying technologies in new ways is often a learning experience. We thought that we’d share with you what we’re learning through such a project at CPS Deely. The Deely plant is the first power generator to integrate combustion optimization software with boiler optimization spectroscopy sensors. This means that we’re feeding the optimizers highly accurate, real-time readings of combustion conditions within the furnace. This is a first for the industry.

The optimizers are informed by O2, CO, and temperature measurements that are closer to the process and have greater spatial resolution. As a result, existing constraints for CO and minimum O2 can be relaxed, allowing for more aggressive optimization. In Deely’s case, this means the ability to reach new goals for lowering NOx and improving heat rate.

This project is a partnership between the three companies involved: CPS Deely, Zolo Technologies, and NeuCo. Over the next few weeks, team members will be blogging about what we’re learning, what’s working, and what we could do better. The blog series will also be a precursor to a longer white paper on the project that we’ll publish this Spring, as well as presentations at Reinhold, Electric Power, and NeuCo’s own Users Summit.

So stay tuned to the next few blog posts as we’ll hear from team members, and hopefully have some good discussion about what we’re learning from this project that’s a first for the industry.