Increasing boiler capacity by dried bagasse firing

Boilers are the most expensive single items of capital equipment operating in a sugar factory. It has been determined by several mills that, to minimise the cost of factory expansion, the boiler plant output has to be pushed to provide the maximum steam capacity, thus avoiding the requirement of purchasing a new boiler. This raises the question, 'What is the steam capacity limit of a boiler?' This paper identifies the steam capacity limits of boilers by discussing the components of a boiler that may limit its steam generating capacity. Techniques to increase the capacity of the different boiler components while maintaining boiler performance (e.g. tube life) are discussed. Initial analysis will focus on run-of-mill bagasse of typically 50% moisture content.