What is the significance of Drain cooler approach (DCA)??

 

In the context of feed water heaters, "DCA" could stand for "Drain Cooler Approach." The drain cooler approach in feed water heaters is a parameter that represents the temperature difference between the temperature of the extracted steam and the temperature of the drain (condensate) leaving the feed water heater.

 

Feed water heaters are devices used in power plants to preheat the water before it enters the boiler. The heat for this preheating process comes from extracting steam from various stages of the turbine. The drain cooler approach is a key parameter to monitor and control because it affects the overall efficiency of the power plant.

 

A lower drain cooler approach means that more heat is transferred from the extracted steam to the feed water, increasing the overall efficiency of the power plant. It's an important factor in designing and operating feed water heaters to optimize the thermal performance of the power generation system.

 

DCA is the temperature difference between the drains (steam condensate) leaving the heater and the temperature of feed water entering the heater. For more cycle efficiency TTD value should be small.

 

 Significance of DCA. 

1-It gives the feed back on performance of heat exchanger

2-Higher TTD is nothing but thee is more difference between saturation temperature of steam and feed water leaving the heater.This indicates the poor performance of heater.Similarly lower TTD is nothing but thee is small difference between saturation temperature of steam and feed water leaving the heater.This indicates the good heat transfer between steam and feed water & hence there is better performance of heater

3-The concept of "temperature approach" is closely related to ΔT. The temperature approach is the difference between the temperature of the hot fluid and the temperature of the cold fluid at the end of the heat exchanger. A smaller temperature approach is often desired to maximize heat transfer efficiency, but it is limited by practical considerations.

4-the terminal temperature difference is a key parameter in the analysis, design, and optimization of heat exchange systems. It plays a vital role in determining heat transfer rates, efficiency, and the size of heat exchangers, ultimately impacting the performance and cost of thermal systems in various engineering applications

5-Station heat rate will improve

6-Cycle efficiency will increase

7-Less steam consumption for feed water heating

Click here to know about Terminal temperature difference in feed water heaters

Calculation of DCA

1-A HP heater is used to heat the feed water from 170 °C to 190 °C by using turbine bleed steam at 17 kg/cm2 and 340 °C. The condensate returning from heater is at 180 °C, calculate the DCA of heater.

We have,

DCA = Temperature of condensate leaving the heater – Temperature of feed water entering the heater

DCA = 180 - 170 = 10 °C

Note: For best performance, heaters are designed to get DCA 3 to 5 °C at full operation capacity.

 

2-A LP heater is used to heat the feed water from 55 °C to 70 °C by using turbine extraction steam at 1.1 kg/cm2 and 125 °C. The condensate returning from heater is at 75 °C, calculate the DCA of heater.

We have,

DCA = Temperature of condensate leaving the heater – Temperature of feed water entering the heater

DCA = 75 - 55 = 20 °C

Note: For best performance, heaters are designed to get DCA 3 to 5 °C at full operation capacity.

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