What is a common indicator of a system's combustion efficiency?

Flue gas composition is a vital indicator of a system's combustion efficiency because it directly reflects how completely the fuel is being burned within the combustion chamber. When examining the flue gases produced during combustion, one can measure the levels of various gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). A high concentration of CO2 typically indicates efficient combustion, as it suggests that the fuel is being converted into energy effectively, with minimal unburned hydrocarbons. In contrast, higher levels of carbon monoxide can signal incomplete combustion, which means that there is excess fuel remaining, indicating inefficiency.

Monitoring flue gas composition can also reveal the presence of other compounds like nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx), which can inform about the combustion process's efficiency and environmental impact. Overall, analyzing what comes out of the chimney or flue provides valuable insights into how effectively the combustion process is taking place, making it a key focus for evaluating combustion efficiency.

In contrast, while the water level in the boiler, temperature of the steam, and pressure readings are all important operational parameters for a power system, they do not directly measure the efficiency of the combustion process itself. Instead, they are more related to the overall