MONITORING POWER PLANT EFFICIENCY USING THE MICROWAVE-EXCITED PHOTOACOUSTIC EFFECT TO MEASURE UNBURNED CARBON

Three test instruments are being evaluated to determine the feasibility of using photoacoustic technology for measuring unburned carbon in fly ash. The first test instrument is a single microwave frequency system previously constructed to measure photoacoustic signals in an off-line configuration. A second off-line instrument was constructed based in part on lessons learned with the first instrument, but which also expands the capabilities of the first instrument. Improvements include a control loop to allow more constant microwave power output and an ability to operate over a range of microwave frequencies. The third instrument, the on-line version of the fly ash monitor, has been designed, constructed, and initial efficiency tests have been conducted on the monitor's electrical components. Off-line photoacoustic microwave spectra of fly ash and coal were collected and analyzed, and the spectra demonstrated a linear correlation between the photoacoustic response and the carbon content in either fly ash or coal. Modifications were made to the on-line fly ash monitor to incorporate a dual-accelerometer system that would provide active noise control. Several experiments were conducted with flowing and non-flowing fly ash samples