Evaluation of the effects of optimization of gas boiler burner control by means of an innovative method of Fuel Input Factor

Abstract

In the course of the research, the authors diagnosed the necessity to constantly search for solutions increasing the efficiency of converting primary energy into useful energy, in particular in heat sources equipped with systems powered by gaseous fuel. This is especially important in the EU countries, where on average approx. 46% of heat is produced by means of natural gas. This problem is particularly important in the context of the growing requirements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the guidelines related to the decarbonization plan for all European Union countries. Therefore, the authors conducted operational tests of the existing heat sources based on low-temperature gas boilers, the purpose of which was to identify and analyze the possibility of their optimization, with particular emphasis on increasing the efficiency of primary energy conversion and reducing emissions of such pollutants as greenhouse gases. The work uses a method of practical optimization, which makes use of measurement data in order to identify the parameters of gas boilers which are susceptible to improvement, and then improves these parameters. The several-year-long research was carried out with various configurations of energy sources in various technological systems, while the final analysis covered operating data from two gas boiler houses collected over 200 full days, in which measurements were carried out continuously to ensure high quality of measurement data. The article presents an assessment of the efficiency of gas boiler houses conducted by means of a fuel input coefficient (FIF) developed by the authors. The influence of selected factors on the efficiency of heat generation processes was also analyzed, including: external temperature, the amount of domestic hot water consumption, and above all, methods of controlling heat source devices. The effects were assessed using the FIF. It has been shown that the method of comparing the operation of heat sources based on the fuel input coefficient (FIF) is an effective diagnostic tool to verify the correctness of boiler room operation, and that appropriate settings in boiler operation can significantly affect the energy efficiency of sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.