Abstract This paper presents a status and development of coal fired 600 MW boilers in China.Statistics show that most of these boiler units have had a longer infancy during which many problems jeoparbizing the safe and economic operation of units were encountered

such as unstable operation

longer forced outage

lower availability

unbalanced outlet flue gas

over temperature tube burst of reheater.Based on huge test data and practical experi ence

it is concluded that these proble msmentioned above can be completely avoided or reduced through design selection of furnace and burners

management of fuel characteristics and combustion

and optimization of operation conditions.