Feed rate or what?

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Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:07 pm

Coal is piling up on the grate for some reason and I haven't changed anything from last year. Not sure what is going on. Feed is at 13turns.
20171027_153644.jpg
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Any ideas? I turned it back to 13 just this afternoon, was at 12. Odd.

 
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Rob R.
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Post by Rob R. » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:17 pm

Are the air holes clean?

Plenty of airflow?

Different coal?

 
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:24 pm

Looks a lot like my Alaska 140 did many moons ago, when clinkering of red ash coal caused "plowing" - i.e., buildup of fresh coal that spilled over side. Assuming that's the issue, suggested steps:

- clear grate;
- rub it with a brick;
- clear air holes;
- vac or otherwise clean air chamber under grate if needed;
- restart and run at lower air/feed settings; and,
- get different (white ash) coal for running hard.

Hope this helps.

Mike

 
Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:31 pm

Fresh Lehigh. Vacuumed under grates, Sealed the grates and cleared the holes with some 12ga copper a few days ago. I may shut it down and sand smooth and see what happens.

Maybe the cement is causing the backup.

Mano is usually at .015 at the door in between heat calls


 
Pacowy
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:53 pm

With fresh coal and/or improved airflow it still could be red ash/clinkering issue. If sanding doesn't work, still suggest:

- run at lower air/feed settings; and, if that works,
- get different (white ash) coal for running hard.

Mike

 
Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:01 pm

Hoping the sanding and feed rate/air works. I just started 8tn into my basement bin. Lol

 
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Post by Pacowy » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:06 pm

Good luck. I had to work around smaller amount and it was bothersome. Hopefully you can coax it to burn ok. Turning air down may just make it more like performance before you did the cleaning.

Mike

 
Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:08 pm

That's a good point about last year's performance. Didn't think of that


 
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gaw
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Post by gaw » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:11 pm

Qtown1835 wrote:
Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:07 pm
I haven't changed anything from last year.
Qtown1835 wrote:
Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 4:31 pm
Vacuumed under grates, Sealed the grates and cleared the holes with some 12ga copper a few days ago.
Not that I am picking on you…. Or maybe I am, but the cement cannot be above the grates. You want an ample smear of cement on the top edge and sides but when they are in place you wipe the excess off so the grate surface is nice and smooth. You will be surprised how the slightest interference impedes the proper flow of coal.

 
Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:14 pm

I agree. I do believe that is my problem

 
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Post by StokerDon » Sat. Oct. 28, 2017 11:03 am

Qtown1835 wrote:
Fri. Oct. 27, 2017 5:14 pm
I agree. I do believe that is my problem
Maybe not, Mike has a very good point there about coal clinkering on flat grate stokers. As we get further into the heating season, you will see more and more flat grate stoker owners posting the same problem, it happens every year.
Clinkering is what happens when coal is burned above it's fusion temperature. This causes the ash to stick to the grate. As suggested above, a simple way to burn the coal at a lower temperature is to slightly lower the air setting.
Keep this in mind and smooth those grates and that should solve your problem.

-Don

 
Qtown1835
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Post by Qtown1835 » Sat. Oct. 28, 2017 9:03 pm

This looks a little better.
20171028_210036.jpg
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Sanded the grates with my DA and re-cleanded the vents. Seems to be feeding nice now. Ready for some cold weather. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

 
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Post by StokerDon » Sun. Oct. 29, 2017 7:08 pm

Now that is a beautiful sight Q!

-Don

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