Fjernvarme fyn says

By working closely together, we have found a solution that has helped us optimise our operations. Hans Buch has been involved throughout the process, and at no point did we have a load of things we didn’t need pushed down our throats.

When a boiler shutdown brought the problem to light

According to the case study, Fjernvarme Fyn has achieved more operating hours from the plant since the installation, and when Hans Buch visited Fjernvarme Fyn in autumn 2018, the timing was more dramatic than planned. That same day, the plant had suffered a boiler shutdown, which demanded full attention to get operations back up and running. The cause was a blockage in the boiler that prevented the flue gas from passing through the tube wall.

This made the problem very tangible. According to the original case study, a shutdown like this required the boiler to be taken offline for around 85 hours and was estimated to cost approximately DKK 1.5 million — equivalent to around DKK 15,000 per hour, as waste could not be incinerated during that period.

For Fjernvarme Fyn, the challenge was therefore not just about maintenance. It was about finding a solution that could reduce the risk of costly, recurring shutdowns in day-to-day operations.

A sootblower solution tailored to the plant’s needs

Hans Buch supplies LED tubes, LED floodlights and other LED lighting as part of a three-year framework agreement. During discussions between Fjernvarme Fyn, Hans Buch and supplier Clyde Bergemann, it quickly became clear that sootblowers were the most appropriate way forward. They chose Clyde Bergemann’s Smart Helix Blower, which is designed to keep the superheaters free from ash deposits while the boiler is in operation.

The solution was attractive because it could:

• extend service intervals
• reduce downtime
• increase thermal output through effective boiler cleaning during full operation
• be programmed to direct steam between the tubes without putting them under direct stress

Before installation, the solution was evaluated further. Fjernvarme Fyn needed to see the technology in operation, so a trip to Germany was arranged to see similar installations at combined heat and power plants with comparable boilers and operating conditions. Here, the customer gained insight into the technology as well as access to expert advice and opportunities to exchange experiences.

Implementation also required adjustments. Consideration had to be given to where the jets should be directed, the pressure at which the sootblowers should operate, and how they could cover as much area as possible without hitting the tubes directly. Using a drawing of the plant, Clyde Bergemann was able to mark where ash deposits would accumulate and how to programme the sootblowers most effectively.

The result was more operating hours and fewer shutdowns

According to the case study, Fjernvarme Fyn has achieved more operating hours from the plant since the installation, and ash deposits are now being kept under control as intended. In day-to-day operations, this is reflected in the fact that there has only been one planned shutdown since the installation.

This makes the result particularly compelling, because the value goes beyond simply installing new equipment. The customer gained a solution that:

• reduces the risk of recurring shutdowns
• supports more stable boiler operation
• extends service intervals
• is tailored to the plant’s specific challenges

This case is therefore a good example of how an urgent problem can become the starting point for longer-term optimisation — when the customer, supplier and technical partner work closely together to find the right solution.

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