Method of determining individual sootblower effectiveness

A method of cleaning at least one heat transfer element of a boiler within a furnace, wherein said furnace includes a boiler disposed therein and a cleaning system, said furnace structured to burn a fuel, said boiler having at least one heat transfer element, said at least one heat transfer element supported by a support structure, said support structure having a weighing system structured to determine a force applied by said at least one heat transfer element, and any ash deposited thereon, on said support structure and to provide an output indicating said force, said cleaning system having at least one cleaning element structured to clean said at least one heat transfer element, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a minimum efficiency rate for each said at least one cleaning element;
• b) operating said furnace and allowing ash to be deposited on said at least one heat transfer element;
• c) determining the efficiency rate for said at least one cleaning element;
• and
• d) managing the use of said cleaning system based upon said efficiency rate.

A method of initiating cleaning of at least one heat transfer element of a boiler within a furnace, wherein said furnace includes a boiler disposed therein and cleaning system, said furnace structured to burn a fuel, said boiler having at least one heat transfer element, said at least one heat transfer element supported by a support structure, said support structure having a weighing system structured to determine a force applied by said at least one heat transfer element, and any ash deposited thereon, on said support structure and to provide an output indicating said force, said cleaning system having at least one cleaning element structured to clean said at least one heat transfer element, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing the maximum weight of ash allowable on said at least one heat transfer element;
• b) providing the initial force applied by aid at least one heat transfer element on the support structure;
• c) operating said furnace and allowing ash to be deposited on said at least one heat transfer element;
• d) monitoring the weight build-up of ash on said at least one heat transfer element using the weighing system;
• e) comparing the weight build-up of the ash to the maximum weight of ash allowable on that heat transfer element;
• and
• f) cleaning said at least one heat transfer element when said weight build-up of the ash exceeds the maximum weight of ash allowable on that heat transfer element.

A boiler system comprising:

• a furnace structured to burn a fuel;
• a boiler disposed in said furnace and having at least one heat transfer element;
• a support structure coupled to said furnace and structured to support said at least one heat transfer element;
• a weighing system coupled to said support structure and structured to determine a force applied by said at least one heat transfer element, and any ash deposited thereon, on said support structure and to provide an output signal indicating said force;
• a cleaning system coupled to said furnace and having at least one cleaning element structured to clean said at least one heat transfer element;
• and
• a control system coupled to said weighing system and to said cleaning system and structured to manage the cleaning system based on the weight of the ash deposits on said at least one heat transfer element.