BIO, ABSTRACTS and PHOTOS – May 5, 2011

JOHN GUFFRE – PARAGON AIR HEATER

BIO:  Chief Research Scientist Paragon Air Heater Technologies, Inc.

Mr. Guffre has over 30 years experience in power generation with an emphasis on power plant efficiency improvements and pollution control equipment. His experience includes hands on operation of large coal-fired power plants and has extensive knowledge of heat rate improvements associated with regenerative air heaters.

Mr. Guffre has headed several companies that have supplied custom engineered products for the power industry, including Wahlco Power Products, a leading manufacturer of air heater components He also was the Director of Power Plant efficiency for Control Components, Inc.

Mr. Guffre’s work and studies have been published in multiple industry related magazines and trade journals such as Power and Power Engineering, and has presented numerous papers domestically and internationally concerning the effects of air heater performance on combustion efficiency.

ABSTRACT:  The presentation will focus on the direct thermal losses in the air heater and fan systems resulting from air heater leakage. The causes of this leakage will be discussed as well as methods for eliminating these losses.

Some heater related combustion problems will be outlined, as well as the air heater’s effect on downstream air pollution control equipment.

PHILIP VINCENT – THERMAL ENGINEERING

ABSTRACT:  A thermal power plant converts the thermal energy of combustion to mechanical energy. This is a survey of the intermediate equipment that performs the conversion, heat exchangers. An example of how the efficiency of the plant can be affected by a single exchanger will be discussed.