A computer-controlled feeder, which resembles a paddle wheel, regulates the amount of coal being fed to the pulverizer.

The coal drops into the center of a rotating pulverizer and bowl. The rotation forces the coal to the side of the bowl where it is ground to the consistency of talcum powder. Hot air is blown through the pulverizer which picks up the small particles of coal and carries them sub-stoichiometrically (or fuel rich) into the boiler. This is to prevent combustion before it enters the boiler.

Pulverized coal is blown into the boiler and mixed with more air where it is burned with great control. When a boiler is first heated up, #2 fuel oil is used to ignite the coal. Once the coal fire is hot enough and stable, the fuel oil can be shut off and the heat from the coal supports the combustion.