MATRIX PROJECTS

PORT HUDSON, LOUISIANA PETCOKE CONVEYING & FEED SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING

Darren Jarvis • August 1, 2004

Georgia Pacific contacted Matrix while experiencing problems during start-up of their on-site grinding facility. Our Engineering Department provided assistance for an existing petcoke feed system that was not functioning as designed. We were able to quickly diagnose the problem which involved the conveying air flow for the delivery silo dust collector. The convey air flow was overwhelming the dust collector filter area. We quickly engineered a new 4” line, provided and expedited a positive displacement blower to replace a centrifugal fan, which conveyed the same coke rate using 20% of the original air. This completely eliminated the problem.

Georgia Pacific then asked Matrix to look at some chronic feeding problems they were experiencing with their existing burner delivery system. Matrix Engineers evaluated the situation, and determined that it was due to a “bridge and flush” phenomenon, which caused a 20% swing in the average feed rates. Matrix issued a complete report on the problem and recommended improvements.