Introduction  The paper aims to solve the problems existing in the operation of the airheaters at the inlet or outlet of the primary fan and the blower in many thermal power plants, such as the small air temperature at the outlet of the heater, the vibration of the pipeline, and the poor drainage, the solutions are put forward.

  Method  In this investigation, we analysed several air heaters and their relevant steam /water system and arrangement of the design and the actual operation situation.

  Results  In the technical specification, it requires the area of air heater satisfied at the extreme low temperature to meet the cold end temperature requirements of air preheater. In the construction design stage, the steam water system of the heater need optimize so as to meet the requirement of energy saving; the air heater makes high arrangement, and let it drain by gravity way to hydrophobic discharge point. During the commissioning phase, for hydrophobic piping layout with U type, in the early start and lack of pressure it sets hydrophobic discharge at low point . In the operation and maintenance stage, it is necessary to make full use of the control system to combine the drainage of the heater with the air temperature control to ensure the safe, stable and economic operation of the system.

  Conclusion  The analysis and research in this paper are based on the theory and other engineering optimization cases. It has practical application value and can be used as a reference for other projects.