Home Coal Fired Furnace

Letter: More regulations needed for coal-fired furnaces

In regard to Father Terrence Kardong’s letter published Saturday, I am wondering if the Assumption Abbey still uses a coal-fired heating system.

If so, aren’t they also contributing to the haze and pollution of this “coal country” that he referred to? At least North Dakota’s coal-fired electricity industry is being monitored, per Kardong’s letter.

The pollution abatement system on coal furnaces is most likely zero, just like that of our next-door neighbor who insists on running his coal furnace all year long!

We enjoy having our windows open at every opportunity, however, we are exposed to the strong stench of that furnace frequently because of the prevailing winds. Sometimes it is so strong that it almost seems as if that chimney is piped directly into our home.

Cigarette smoke is regulated by many laws but it pales in comparison to the emissions from coal-fired furnaces. I believe there should be laws restricting coal (and wood) furnaces or at least require them to invest in an abatement system to eliminate all of their emissions.

There is a coal-fired ethanol plant in Richardton along with coal-fired furnaces and more than a few smokers.

No matter where you go, there is at least some degree of pollution in order for our culture to function as we have become accustomed to.

I have only experienced one episode of bad emissions from the ethanol plant and it was thick like fog which made breathing next to impossible, shortly after it went online.

Currently, there are cleaner burning fuels available instead of coal (or wood). Are those who burn coal going to continue as Kardong concluded his letter? “Business as usual — pollution and all” or will they consider their impact on the health of their neighbors and voluntarily convert their own heating systems.

I actually believe issues with coal-burning furnaces are just as important as industrial use of coal — if not more so.

In my daily life, the impact is much more potent from the coal-burning furnace than that of the ethanol plant.

Those little chimneys contribute to smog like little snowflakes contribute to blizzards.

Cathrine Moe, Richardton

Editor’s note: Assumption Abbey switched from natural

gas to coal 15 to 20 years ago, a spokesman said.

types of boilers that require a safety valve and a safety relief ...

A boiler is an enclosed mechanical unit that provides a way for combustion heat to be transferred into water until it becomes heated water or steam. It is then used as a source of heat for residential, commercial, and industrial hearing. When the water or other fluid is heated in a boiler, it is under pressure. When a boiler is under pressure, measures have to be implemented to make sure too much pressure accumulates that cause an explosion. The main type of device used to prevent overpressure is the safety valve or safety relief valve. A safety valve or safety relief valve is designed to prevent too much pressure build up in a boiler. In a boiler, when the maximum pressure is reached, the safety valve will kick in by releasing a certain amount of fluid such as steam from within the boiler unit. The release will reduce the excess pressure thereby preventing dangerous results such as an explosion. A safety valve should be in operation at all times. These valves should be installed wherever there is a risk of too much pressure building up in a boiler. Pressure excess can be generated in a number of different situations, including: sudden pressure surges, exposure to a fire, cooling system failure, instrumentation failure, heat exchanger tube failure, unbalanced fluid flow rate, and fluctuations in temperature. Safety valves are used on boilers with compressible gases, particularly liquid systems such as steam. As well, they are used in pressure pumped systems such as pressurized water tanks. Boiler categorization is based on a number of factors such as how much it is used and the type of system such as a fuel firing or fuel fired system. That is, boiler types such as critical boilers, oil fired boilers, gas fired boilers coal fired boilers, fluidized bed boilers etc. These types of boilers are used in industrial power generation. Therefore, boilers are categorized based on the following factors: type of fuel used, firing type, type of heating method such as steam, circulation method, and type of construction. The two most common types of boilers that require safety valves are steam boilers and hot water boilers. Hot water boilers are often used commercial buildings, manufacturers, and businesses. Water is heated to temperatures that will permit distribution with some boilers heating the steam even hotter than the boiling point temperature. The steam from the boiler is used for such applications as generating power or heating a building.

Metallurgical failures in fossil fired boilers

Garden & home builder

Profits in Buying and Renovating Homes

Coal & Power Systems: Strategic Plan & Multi-Year Program Plans

The complete home encyclopedia