Simulation of an acoustic device for online cleaning of boilers at sasol synfuels power station in secunda

This paper assesses the acoustics technology as a possible solution to online cleaning of coal fired boilers. An acoustics device is designed in AutoCAD Invertor professional 2016, where simulations are performed and compared with calculations done to determining if the acoustic device can be used for boiler cleaning or as a backup system to soot blowers, popularly used in South Africa. The similarity law was used to determine the frequency of the beam that will be suitable for an acoustic horn with a frequency of 75Hz when varying forces ranging from 40N to 820N are used. The diaphragm of the acoustic horn deflected 0.5 mm when a pressure of 552kPa was applied. It was further found that for as long as the diaphragm does not deflect and bleed the air the stress needed will be 816 MPa which will not reach the expected maximum. This will make the acoustic horn experience a pressure of 50MPa which is able to dislodge soot on the tube walls and surfaces of the boiler. This paper also looks at material and their properties which are used for the beam and acoustic horn.