DETECTION OF PLUGGAGE IN APPARATUS OPERATING IN HOT, PARTICLE-LADEN ENVIRONMENTS

A device for detection of pluggage in an ash hopper of a coal fired boiler to identify when the opening in the bottom of the ash hopper becomes blocked by obstructions, so that timely and effective measures can be taken to remove the blockage without incurring economic loss in the operation of the boiler. At least one microwave or Terahertz transmitter unit configured to produce a microwave beam in either X or K band frequencies or at Terahertz frequencies (300 GHz to 3 THz), and at least one microwave receiver unit or beams that are interrupted by a blockage in the ash hopper, and produce an output to indicate obstruction of the beam or beams by the blockage. When the beam is interrupted, an output signal is produced to indicate obstruction of the beam by the blockage. The output signal is to notify process operators of the need to remove said blockage, and to control a blockage removal process.