Actuators to help cut NOx at Drax

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Nov 19, 2004

Jordan electric linear actuators have been selected for the operation of specialised dampers at the centre of an environmental upgrade project at the Drax Power Station in Yorkshire.

Jordan electric linear actuators have been selected for the operation of specialised dampers at the centre of an environmental upgrade project at the Drax Power Station in Yorkshire.

Drax is the UK's largest, cleanest and most efficient coal-fired power station.

Already equipped with a flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) plant that removes 90% of sulphur dioxide (SO2)emissions from boiler gases to meet forthcoming legislation, the station is now actively seeking to reduce its oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions ahead of the EU Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD) that comes into force in 2008.

This is achieved by installing boosted over-fire air (BOFA) systems, involving specially designed fans, ducting and dampers, on the generating plant.

Drax is currently installing the technology on the first of its six 660MW units.

The system is designed and installed by Mitsui Babcock, using specialised dampers manufactured by Damper Technology for fan isolation and modulation of the over-fire air draught.

Damper Technology appointed Exeeco as the specialist supplier for actuators and associated services for the project.

Exeeco is the European Service Centre for all Jordan products, within the Rotork valve actuation group.

Exeeco selected Jordan LA2000 range electric linear actuators for the automation of the dampers on this particularly harsh duty.

The actuators are controlled by a 4-20mA signal, fed to the actuator's digital amplifier, which can be remotely mounted to enable the actuator to operate in ambient temperatures up to 108C.

This, combined with a modulating duty rating of 2000 starts per hour and precise positioning, makes the LA2000 an ideal low maintenance solution for many power station applications.