A system for automatic monitoring of smelt flow exiting a recovery boiler based on optical information. A processor is used to read at least one stationarily imaged video sequence, comprising digital image frames, including an area under examination representing at least part of the smelt flow exiting the recovery boiler. The processor is used to identify, in the area under examination, an area distinguishable based on colour and/or intensity information. The processor is used to determine, based on the identified distinguishable area, a monitored flow property of the smelt flow.

A system for automatic monitoring of smelt flow exiting a recovery boiler based on optical information. A processor is used to read at least one stationarily imaged video sequence, comprising digital image frames, including an area under examination representing at least part of the smelt flow exiting the recovery boiler. The processor is used to identify, in the area under examination, an area distinguishable based on colour and/or intensity information. The processor is used to determine, based on the identified distinguishable area, a monitored flow property of the smelt flow.

A method for controlling a chemical recovery boiler. The method includes measuring concentrations of sodium carbonate, sodium sulfide, and sodium sulfate from green liquor of the chemical recovery boiler, determining a target temperature for smelt, imaging at least an area of a char bed of the chemical recovery boiler, the area being close to a smelt spout, to obtain an image of the area, determining a measured temperature of the char bed using the image of the area. The method further includes determining that the measured temperature of the char bed is less than the target temperature for smelt, and controlling the chemical recovery boiler such that the temperature of the char bed increases. A chemical recovery boiler for the same.

Various techniques are described for enhanced combustion of hot water extraction (HWE) derived liquor. For example, the HWE derived liquor can be pre-treated prior to introduction into a combustion chamber. The pre-treatment can include subjecting HWE derived liquor to filtration to remove suspended solids, evaporation to produce a first stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional concentration to produce a second stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional filtration to remove additional suspended solids; and pre-heating to produce a preheated HWE liquor. The preheated HWE liquor can be atomized and combined with pre-heated combustion air supplied into a combustion chamber to effect combustion of the HWE derived liquor.

Various techniques are described for enhanced combustion of hot water extraction (HWE) derived liquor. For example, the HWE derived liquor can be pre-treated prior to introduction into a combustion chamber. The pre-treatment can include subjecting HWE derived liquor to filtration to remove suspended solids, evaporation to produce a first stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional concentration to produce a second stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional filtration to remove additional suspended solids; and pre-heating to produce a preheated HWE liquor. The preheated HWE liquor can be atomized and combined with pre-heated combustion air supplied into a combustion chamber to effect combustion of the HWE derived liquor.

A chemical recovery boilers is described in which the primary air system is reconfigured to provide aggressive charbed control and improved combustion in the lower furnace. The fewest number of primary air ports are used on two opposing walls to generate powerful air jets that penetrate across the boiler providing physical and thermal stability to the charbed while increasing the heat release and combustion stability in the lower furnace, increasing reduction efficiency, and lowering carryover and emissions. Various embodiments are described including operating strategies and multi-level black liquor injection.

A chemical recovery boilers is described in which the primary air system is reconfigured to provide aggressive charbed control and improved combustion in the lower furnace. The fewest number of primary air ports are used on two opposing walls to generate powerful air jets that penetrate across the boiler providing physical and thermal stability to the charbed while increasing the heat release and combustion stability in the lower furnace, increasing reduction efficiency, and lowering carryover and emissions. Various embodiments are described including operating strategies and multi-level black liquor injection.

A cooling shield for a liquor injection pipe of a liquor gun for supplying liquor to a combustion chamber of a recovery boiler, which has a first and a second side edge, the side edges extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the cooling shield, and a first end edge and a second end edge extending between the side edges, the cooling shield comprising an outside shield wall, and an inside shield wall, the outside shield wall and the inside shield wall being connected along the side edges of the cooling shield, the cooling shield comprising a cooling medium space being arranged between the outside shield wall and the inside shield wall, the cooling shield comprising a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet the cooling medium inlet and the cooling medium outlet being arranged in communication with the cooling medium space.

A cooling shield for a liquor injection pipe of a liquor gun for supplying liquor to a combustion chamber of a recovery boiler, which has a first and a second side edge, the side edges extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the cooling shield, and a first end edge and a second end edge extending between the side edges, the cooling shield comprising an outside shield wall, and an inside shield wall, the outside shield wall and the inside shield wall being connected along the side edges of the cooling shield, the cooling shield comprising a cooling medium space being arranged between the outside shield wall and the inside shield wall, the cooling shield comprising a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet the cooling medium inlet and the cooling medium outlet being arranged in communication with the cooling medium space.

Various techniques are described for enhanced combustion of hot water extraction (HWE) derived liquor. For example, the HWE derived liquor can be pre-treated prior to introduction into a combustion chamber. The pre-treatment can include subjecting HWE derived liquor to filtration to remove suspended solids, evaporation to produce a first stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional concentration to produce a second stage concentrated HWE liquor; additional filtration to remove additional suspended solids; and pre-heating to produce a preheated HWE liquor. The preheated HWE liquor can be atomized and combined with pre-heated combustion air supplied into a combustion chamber to effect combustion of the HWE derived liquor.