Oxygen trim (O2 trim) is a control strategy used in boilers to optimise the combustion process, ensuring efficient and safe operation.
Watch our CEO Alan Keogh discuss the energy and carbon savings that can be achieved when optimising your oxygen trim on your steam boiler.
It involves continuously monitoring the oxygen concentration in the flue gas and adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio to maintain optimal combustion conditions. Here's how O2 trim can help optimise your boiler:
Improved Combustion Efficiency:
The air-to-fuel ratio plays a critical role in combustion efficiency. Too much excess air (oxygen) can result in wasted energy and increased fuel consumption, while too little air can cause incomplete combustion, leading to increased emissions and reduced efficiency. O2 trim adjusts the air-to-fuel ratio in real-time based on the actual oxygen concentration in the flue gas, helping to maintain optimal combustion conditions and improve combustion efficiency.Fuel Savings:
By optimising the combustion process, O2 trim can reduce excess air and minimise energy losses associated with unburned fuel or wasted heat. This can result in significant fuel savings, which can translate into reduced operating costs and increased profitability.Emissions Reduction:
Proper combustion with optimal air-to-fuel ratio can lead to lower emissions of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM). O2 trim can help achieve better combustion control, resulting in reduced emissions and improved environmental performance.Increased Boiler Safety:
O2 trim can also contribute to increased boiler safety by maintaining the proper air-to-fuel ratio and minimising the potential for fuel-rich or fuel-lean conditions that can lead to safety hazards, such as flame instability or even boiler explosions.Enhanced Boiler Performance:
Optimising combustion with O2 trim can lead to improved boiler performance, including stable and efficient combustion, reduced fouling and slagging, and extended boiler lifespan. This can result in less downtime, improved reliability, and increased productivity.Compliance with Regulations:
Many regions have strict regulations for emissions from boilers, and O2 trim can help ensure compliance with these regulations by maintaining optimal combustion conditions and reducing emissions.