A Sootblower is a system for removing the soot

Soot

Soot is a general term that refers to impure carbon particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon. It is more properly restricted to the product of the gas-phase combustion process but is commonly extended to include the residual pyrolyzed fuel particles such as cenospheres,...

 that is deposited on the furnace tubes of a boiler

Boiler

A boiler is a closed vessel in which water or other fluid is heated. The heated or vaporized fluid exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications.-Materials:...

 during combustion. Various types of soot blowers such as Wall Blowers, Long Retractable Blowers and Air Heater Blowers are used for the cleaning. Steam

Steam

Steam is the technical term for water vapor, the gaseous phase of water, which is formed when water boils. In common language it is often used to refer to the visible mist of water droplets formed as this water vapor condenses in the presence of cooler air...

 is normally used as a medium for blowing away the soot.

Reduced efficiency

Soot deposited on the heating surfaces of a boiler acts as a heat insulator

Thermal insulation

Thermal insulation is the reduction of the effects of the various processes of heat transfer between objects in thermal contact or in range of radiative influence. Heat transfer is the transfer of thermal energy between objects of differing temperature...

. The result is that less heat is transferred to the water to raise steam and more heat is wasted up the chimney

Chimney

A chimney is a structure for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the...

. This leads to higher fuel consumption and/or poor steaming.

Soot fires

A soot fire can be damaging to a boiler because it can cause localized hotspots to occur in the tubes. These hotspots may reach temperatures that weaken the materials of the tubes. Sootblowers reduce the risk of soot fires and their resulting damage.

Operation

A sootblower may be operated manually or by a remotely controlled motor. The soot, which is removed from the heating surfaces, will be blown out with the flue gas

Flue gas

Flue gas is the gas exiting to the atmosphere via a flue, which is a pipe or channel for conveying exhaust gases from a fireplace, oven, furnace, boiler or steam generator. Quite often, the flue gas refers to the combustion exhaust gas produced at power plants...

es. If the boiler is equipped with a dust collector

Dust collector

A dust collector is a system used to enhance the quality of air released from industrial and commercial processes by collecting dust and other impurities from air or gas. Designed to handle heavy dust loads, a dust collector system consists of a blower, dust filter, a filter-cleaning system, and a...

, it will trap the soot. Otherwise, the soot will be ejected into the outside air through the chimney stack.

Internal links

Sonic soot blowers

Sonic soot blowers

thumb| Sonic soot blowerSonic soot blowers offer a cost-effective and non-destructive means of preventing ash and particulate build-up within the power generation industry. They use high energy – low frequency sound waves that provide 360° particulate de-bonding and at a speed in excess of 344...

- explaining the use of acoustic technology to clear the soot