Boiler Steam Leak Detection System (PLDS)
A boiler acoustic steam leak detection system was developed and introduced to industry by the world’s leader in this field: British company Procon Engineering. Procon has a rich reference list coming from over 250 units: pulverized coal-fired boilers, fluidized bed boilers, heavy fuel oil and gas boilers.
The system consists of a network of acoustic and vibration sensors located on the walls of boilers, central unit with software developed by Pentol for data recording, visualization and analysis. The use of the PLDS system on steam boilers allows to achieve a number of benefits, including:
- increasing the availability of the boiler
- limitation of damage caused by leaks
- the ability to carry out repairs at a convenient time (the system allows observation of leakage propagation in the boiler)
- shortening the duration of renovations and their costs
- increasing staff safety
- indicative indication of leak location
- the possibility of detecting irregularities in the operation of soot blowers
- increasing the plant's operating profit
- limiting the amount of financial penalties
- lower insurance costs
The system allows for early detection of leaks before it is possible with other methods, and consequently minimizes losses caused by leaks.
We implemented the first system in Poland on two fluidized bed boilers in CEZ CHP in Chorzów. Pentol also delivered complete system for a prestigious project for 900MW units at Opole Power Plant and Lombok Power Plant in Indonesia (boilers supplied by RAFAKO).