The first step for a good air management is to measure correctly and distribute the air well balanced. Especially, primary air control and measurement play an important role in boiler optimizations and the air control in primary air ducts must be between ±3%. If this interval is reached, this means that the first and the most important step in pulverized coal based boiler optimization is eliminated.

According to our experience, the air flows are either not measured or not correctly measured in many facilities. The primary air flow and control are required to measure the coal flow and to keep the correct air/fuel ratio. In fact, the air/fuel ratio in some facilities is found to be two times worst.

Based on the duct structure, a venturi type or nozzle type is preferred for the air measurement device. However due to the rectangular cross-section of many ducts, a circular venturi type is mostly preferred for a smooth signal and maximum pressure gain.

The correct measurement of the secondary air flow is as important as the primary air flow for raching the optimum combustion. A correct secondary air flow measurement is required to supply equal amount of air flow to each chamber of the combustion unit. A wrong distribution of secondary air causes a decrease in unit performance, problem of high heating in back-pass and an increase in secondary combustion and exit tempeatures of boiler.

Depending on air flow conditions, the average pitot tubes can perform economical, functional and correct measurement. We can perform repeated and correct measurements in laminar flows with the average pitot tubes. Primary and secondary air distributions must be checked periodically with already calibrated the multi point hand traverse equipments and one must be sure of the accuracy of the passing air quantity.