The Yarborough Steam Plant, located between SAS Hall and Riddick Hall, emitted black smoke Wednesday afternoon due to the installation of new equipment.

According to Alan Daeke, director of Utilities and Engineering Services at N.C. State, the black smoke appeared when Yarborough plant operators used oil to fuel a newly installed boiler.     “We are installing two new boilers at the Yarborough Plant that are being dual-fuel fired,” Daeke said. “Natural gas is the primary fuel source and the number two fuel, oil, serves as a backup source. The new boiler had just started on fuel oil and the burner management control system needed adjustment.”

Daeke said that plant operators corrected the problem.

“Black smoke can occur when using fuel oil and the fuel to air ratio needs to be adjusted,” Daeke said. “This has been corrected, and the campus community should not be worried about this situation.” 

To make sure the new boilers operate correctly, the University’s Facilities department will be monitoring the plant nonstop. 

“The plant is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week with qualified operators to monitor the boilers and make adjustments as needed to maintain a safe and reliable delivery of steam to the campus for both heating and process users,” Daeke said