Are retractable soot blowers necessary in the area of the air heater?

Retractable soot blowers are typically not necessary in the area of the air heater primarily because air heaters, which recover waste heat from flue gases to preheat combustion air, operate at lower temperatures compared to the boiler sections. The purpose of soot blowers is to remove soot and other deposits that may accumulate on heat transfer surfaces, but air heaters are designed with materials and configurations that are less prone to significant soot buildup under normal operating conditions.

In addition, the efficiency of air heaters can be maintained without the frequent need for soot blowing because the operating environment does not typically lead to excessive fouling or buildup that would obstruct airflow or significantly decrease efficiency. Therefore, while it is essential to keep all parts of the boiler and auxiliary systems clean and well-maintained, the specific application of retractable soot blowers in the air heater system is generally deemed unnecessary. This makes the assertion that they are not necessary correct.