A Real-Time Particle Monitor for Mass and Size Fraction Measurements in a Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Combustor Exhaust

Abstract

We have developed a new particulate mass analyzer and have demonstrated its real-time measuring capability in an actual pressurized fluidized-bed combustor environment. The analyzer incorporates a set of cyclones, each with its own microbalance. During measurements, the temperature and pressure of the sampled gas were kept at the process-stream conditions. With this system, particle mass-loading and size-fraction measurements have for the first time been obtained in real time downstream from a high-temperature electrostatic precipitator. The resulting particle size-fraction data and simultaneous measurements of particle total mass-loading upstream and downstream from the precipitator contributed to better assessment of the performance of the precipitator under various operating conditions.