Power Generation Skills Development Module 4: Thermal power plant fuel and milling systems

Major furnace explosions have resulted in the deaths of personnel, extremely expensive repair costs and, in most cases, loss of revenue during the repair period. For a large power station boiler the total cost of a furnace explosion could easily be in the $10M to $20M range. The protection systems fitted to a modern boiler have been developed to the stage where boiler explosions are a rare occurrence today, but the operator and maintainer must be aware of the causes and results of boiler explosions particularly when any plant modifications are being considered.