15-Equipments efficiency calculation in power plant



Efficiency is the ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input  to the system or equipment
So, efficiency = Useful energy output X 100 / Total energy input.
This, energy can be Electrical, heat, pneumatic, hydraulic etc

1-Furnace efficiency:
The efficiency of a furnace is the ratio of useful output to heat input. The furnace efficiency can be determined by both direct and indirect method. The efficiency of the furnace can be computed by measuring the amount of fuel consumed per unit weight of material produced
Furnace efficiency = Heat released in furnace X 100 / Fuel energy supplied
Solved example:
Calculate the furnace efficiency of a Boiler which releases 18  Mcal/hr heat & consumes coal fuel 10 TPH, take fuel GCV as 2250 kcal/kg
ηfurnace = 18 X 1000000 X 100 / (10 X 1000 X 2250) = 80%

2-Boiler efficiency:
Boiler efficiency is calculated by two methods
1-Direct method:
A-Boiler feed water & attemperator water is at same temperature
Boiler efficiency in %=Steam flow X (Steam enthalpy –Feed water Enthalpy) X 100 / (Fuel GCV X Fuel consumption)
B- Boiler feed water & attemperator water is at different temperature
Boiler efficiency in %=( Steam flow X Steam enthalpy –Feed water flow X Feed water Enthalpy) X 100 / (Fuel GCV X Fuel consumption)
Note:
  • Blow down water loss is not considered
  • Steam used for soot blowers is not considered
  • L1-Heat loss due to dry flue gas.
  • L2-Heat loss due to moisture content in burning fuel.
  • L3-Heat loss due to moisture content in combustion and spreading air.
  • L4-Heat loss due to formation of water from hydrogen present in fuel.
  • L5-Heat loss due to conversion of carbon into carbon monoxide.
  • L6-Heat loss due to unburnt in bottom and fly ash.
  • L7-Heat loss due to radiation
  • L8-Heat loss due to convection & other un measurable
  • L9-Heat loss due to soot blowing
  • L10-Heat loss due to blow down.
  • Losses in bearings
  • Losses in oil seals
  • Losses in Gears
  • Losses in lubrication due to churning effect.
Examples:
Calculate the efficiency of 100 TPH Boiler operating at 88 kg/cm2G pressure & temperature 515 deg C, consumes 17 TPH coal whose GCV is 5000 kcal /kg & is supplied with feed water at temperature 165 deg C. Assume no blow down loss.
Solution:
Steam Flow Qs = 100 TPH
Steam enthalpy at above operating parameters (refer steam table) Hs = 817.7 kcal/kg
Feed water enthalpy at temperature 165 deg C, Hf = 166.5 dkcal/kg
Coal consumption Mc = 17 TPH
Coal GCV = 5000 kcal/kg
Now ηboiler = Qs X (Hs-Hf) X 100 / (5400 X Mc)
                   = 100 X  (817.7-166.5) X 100 / (5400 X 17) = 70.93%
In this method water required for attemperating is more

Calculate the efficiency of 100 TPH Boiler operating at 88 kg/cm2G pressure & temperature 515 deg C, consumes 17 TPH coal whose GCV is 5000 kcal /kg & is supplied with feed water 92 TPH at temperature 165 deg C & 10 TPH water for attemperating at temperature 105 Deg C.
Solution:
Steam Flow Qs = 92 TPH
Steam enthalpy at above operating parameters (refer steam table) Hs = 817.7 kcal/kg
Feed water flow Qf = 92 TPH
Feed water enthalpy at temperature 165 deg C, Hf = 166.5 dkcal/kg
Attemperator water flow Qa = 10 TPH
Attemperator water enthalpy at temperature 105 deg C Ha = 106 kcal/kg
Coal consumption Mc = 17.5 TPH
Coal GCV = 5000 kcal/kg
Now Boiler efficiency = (Qs X Hs-(Qf X Hf + Qa X Ha)) X 100 / (5400 X Mc)
   ηboiler= 100 X  817.7-(166.5 X 92 + 10 X 106) X 100 / (5400 X 17.5) = 69.19%
In this method water required for attemperating is less.
2-Indirect method
This method is also called as heat loss method. In this total heat losses in the Boilers is subtracted from a number 100.
This method gives exact efficiency of Boiler. Small errors in readings will not lead to much difference. However it needs more data to calculate the efficiency
Boiler efficiency = 100-Losses
Losses in Boilers are

Note: Boiler efficiency calculation does not include losses L9 & L10
In Bagasse based power plants, heat loss due to moisture is more whereas in Coal based power plants heat loss due to dry flue gas is more

Example 
A boiler generates steam 80 TPH at 66 kg/cm2 and 485 °C. Mesured O2, CO and CO2 in flue gas are 8%, 850 ppm and 12% respectively. Ash analysis shows unburnt in fly ash and bottom ash are 10.5% and 3% respectively, GCV of fly ash and bottom ash are 695 kcal/kg and 1010 kcal/kg respectively. Coal analysis shows carbon 50%, Hydrogen 3.2%, Oxygen 8.2%, Sulphur 0.4%, Nitrogen 1.1%, Ash 19% and moisture 18.1 and its GCV is 4100 kcal/kg. Then calculate the Boiler efficiency. Consider ambient air, flue gas out let temperature are 30 and 150 °C respectively, humidity in ambient air is 0.02 kg/kg of dry air.
From the given data, boiler efficiency can be calculated from indirect method.
We have, Theoretical air requirement = (11.6 X %C + 34.8 3 (%H2 - %O2/8) + 4.35 X %S)/100…Kg/kg of fuel
Therefore, Th air requirement will be = (11.6 X 50 + 34.8 X (3.2 - 8.2/8) + 4.35 X 0.4)/100
                                                 = 6.57 kg of air/kg of coal.
Given that,O2 in flue gas is 5%
We have, Excess air = (O2%/(21 - O2%)) X 100
                                 = (5/(21 - 8)) X3 100 = 38.5%
Total air supplied = (1 + EA/100) X Th air
                              = (1 + 38.5/100) X 6.57
                              = 5 9.1 Kg/Kg of Coal
Actual mass of dry flue gas generated during combustion is,
Mass of CO2 in flue gas + Mass of N2 in flue gas + Mass of N2 in combustion air + Mass of O2 in flue gas + Mass of SO2 in flue gas.
= ((Carbon in fuel X MW of CO2)/MW of carbon) + Mass of N2 in fuel + (Total air X N2 in air/100) + ((Total air - Th air) X 23/100) +((SO2 in fuel X MW)/MW of Sulphur)
= (0.5 X 44/12) + 0.011 + ((9.1 X 77)/100) + ((9.1 - 6.57) X 23/100) + (0.004 3X 64)/32
  Mass of dry flue gas Mg is 9.44 kg/kg of coal.
Where Molecular weight of CO2, Carbon, SO2 and Sulphur are 44, 12, 64 and 32 respectively.
To find out the boiler efficiency need to calculate all the different losses
L1 = % of heat loss due to dry flue gas
= Mg X Cp X (Tf - Ta)/GCV of fuel
= 9.44 X 0.24 X (150 - 30) X 100/4100
L1 = 6.63%
L2= Heat loss due to moisture in fuel
        L2 = M X (584 + Cp X (Tf - Ta) X 100)/GCV of fuel
             = (0.181 X (584 + 0.45 X (150 - 30)) X 100)/4100
         L2= 2.81%
L3=Heat loss due to formation of water from Hydrogen present in fuel
L3 = (9 X H2 X (584 + Cp X (Tf - Ta))) X 100/GCV of fuel.
L3 = (9 X 0.032 X (584 + 0.45 X (150 - 30) X 100)/4100)
L3 = 4.48%
L4= Heat loss due to moisture in air
L4 = (Total air X humidity X Cp X (Tf - Ta) X 100)/GCV of fuel
L4 = (9.1 X 0.02 X 0.45 X (150 - 30)) X 100/4100
L4 = 0.24%
L5= Heat loss due to partial conversion of Carbon to Carbon Monoxide
L5 = (((%CO X C)/(%CO + %CO2)) X (5654/GCV of fuel)) X 100
L5 = (((0.0850 X 0.5)/(0.085 + 12)) X (5654/4100)) X 100… Converted CO ppm to % (% 5 ppm/10000)
L5 = 0.48%
L6= Heat loss due to radiation and convection are considered 1–2%, it depends on age and insulation of the boilers.
L7= Heat loss due to unburnt in fly ash
% of Ash in coal = 19%
Unburnt in fly ash = 10.5%
GCV of fly ash = 695 kcal/kg
Amount of fly ash in 1 kg of coal = 0.105 X 0.19
                                                      = 0.012 kg/kg of coal
Heat loss due to unburnt = 0.012 X 695
                                          =5 8.34 kcal/kg
% of Heat loss due to unburnt in fly ash L7 = 8.34 X 100/4100
L7 = 0.2%
L8= Heat loss due to unburnt in bottom Ash
% of Ash in coal = 19%
Unburnt in bottom ash = 3%
GCV of bottom ash = 1010 kcal/kg
Amount of bottom Ash in 1 kg of coal = 0.03 X 0.19
 0.0057 kg/kg of coal
Heat loss due to unburnt = 0.0057 X 1010
= 5.75 kcal/kg of coal
% of Heat loss due to unburnt in fly ash = 5.75 X 100/4100
L8 = 0.14%
So Boiler efficiency is 100 - (L1 + L2 + L3 + L4 + L5 + L6 + L7 + L8)
= 100 - (6.63 + 2.81 + 4.48 + 0.24 + 0.48 + 1 + 0.2 + 0.14)
  ηboiler = 84.02%

3-Economiser Effectiveness/Efficiency Economiser effectiveness is calculated as
ηEco. = (Economiser outlet feed water temperature Two-Economiser inlet feed water temperature Twi)  X 100 / (Economiser inlet flue gas temperature Tfi- Economiser inlet feed water temperature Twi)
Example:
 Calculate the economiser effectiveness, whose feed water inlet & outlet temperatures are 200 Deg C & 290 Deg C respectively & flue gas inlet & outlet temperatures 400 deg C & 230 deg c respectively.
Solution:
Twi = 200 deg C
Two = 290 deg C
Tfi = 400 deg C
Tfo = 230 deg C
ηEco = (Two-Twi) X 100 / (Tfi-Twi)
ηEco = (290-200 ) X 100 / (400-200)
ηEco= 45%

4-Air Preheater (APH) Effectiveness/Efficiency
APH effectiveness is calculated on gas side & air side.
APH gas side efficiency
ηAPHg = (Flue gas inlet temp.Tfi-Flue gas outlet temp.Tfo) X 100 / (Flue gas inlet temperature tfi-Air inlet temperature Tai)

APH air side efficiency
ηAPHa = (Air outlet temp.Tao-Air inlet temp.Tao)) X 100 / (Flue gas inlet temperature tfi-Air inlet temperature Tai)

Example:
A tubular APH has air inlet & outlet temperatures are 25 deg c & 185 deg C & flue gas inlet & outlet temperatures are 230 deg C & 145 deg C. Calculate the APH effectiveness on Gas side & Air side
Solution
Given that
Tai = 25 deg C
Tao = 185 deg C
Tfi = 230 deg c
Tfo = 145 deg C

APH gas side efficiency
ηAPHg =(Tfi-Tfo) X 100 / (Tfi-Tai)
ηAPHg = (230-145) X 100 / (145-25) = 70.83%

APH air side efficiency
ηAPHa = (Tao-Tai) X 100 / (Tfi-Tai)
ηAPHa = (185-25) X 100 / (230-25) = 78.04%

5-ESP efficiency:
ESP efficiency is calculated as
Efficiency of ESP ηESP = 1-eˆ(-AV/Q) X 100
Where,
A = Surfacing area of the collecting plate in M2
V = Migration velocity of the particle in m/sec.
Q = Volume flow rate of flue gas in m3/sec.
Example:
An ESP handles total flue gas at the rate of 80 m3 /sec., it has total collecting surface area 5890 m2, calculate the efficiency of ESP if ash particles migration velocity is 0.077 m/sec.

Solution:
Given that,
A = 5890 M2
V = 0.075 m/sec.
Q = 80 m3/sec.
Efficiency of ESP = 1–eˆ (-AV/Q) X 100
                            = 1– eˆ (-5890 X 0.077/80) X 100
                   ηESP = 99.98%

6-HP heater effectiveness

It is calculated as temperature range of steam / Temperature range of feed water

Example:
A HP heater is been used to raise the feed water temperature from 125 deg C to 145 deg C by using Turbine bleed steam at inlet temperature 325 deg C, calculate the HP heater effectiveness. Consider the HP heater condensate out let temperature is 165 deg C

Solution
Twi = 125 deg C
Two = 145 deg C
Tsi = 325 deg C
Tco =165 deg C


 HP heater effectiveness =( Tsi-Tco) / (Two-Twi) = (325-165) / (145-125)  =8

7-Deaerator (D/A) efficiency:
The main purpose of the Deaerator is to remove the dissolved gases in boiler feed water mainly oxygen. So its efficiency is calculated based on its capacity to remove O2 from the feed water.
       η D/A = (Concentration of Oxygen in inlet water(Ci)-Concentration of oxygen in outlet water (Co)) X 100 /(Concentration of Oxygen in inlet water(Ci))

Example:
Calculate the efficiency of Deaerator if inlet & outlet oxygen concentrations of D/A are 20 ppm & 0.005 ppm respectively.
   η D/A = (Ci-C0) X 100 / Ci
   η D/A = (20-0.005) X 100 / 20 = 99.97%

8-Turbine efficiency:
Overall efficiency
Turbine overall efficiency is calculated as the ratio of power out put from the turbine to the heat input to the Turbine.
   ηTurbine = Power generation in kcal X 100/  Heat input in Kcal

Example: Calculate the overall efficiency of a 5 MW back pressure turbines, operating at 67 kg/cm2 pressure & 495 deg C temperature. Consider specific steam consumption (SSC) of the Turbine is 7.5 & steam is exhausted at pressure 1.8 kg/cm2 & temperature 180 deg C
Solution:
Given that
Power generation = 5 MW
Convert it into kcal, we have 1 KW = 860 kcal
Therefore 5 X 1000 X 860 = 4300000 kcal
Steam inlet enthalpy at operating pressure & temperatures is Hi =813 kcal/kg
Exhaust Steam enthalpy Ho =675 kcal/kg

Steam flow at Turbine inlet Qs = Power generation X SSC = 5 X 7.5 = 37.5 TPH

ηTurbine = Power generation in kcal X 100/  Heat input in Kcal
ηTurbine = Qs X (Hi-Ho) = 37.5 X 1000 X (813-675) = 5175000

ηTurbine = 4300000 X 100 / 5175000 = 83.1%

Turbine cycle efficiency can be calculated as

ηTurbine = 860 X 100 / Turbine heat rate


Example-2: Calculate the cycle efficiency of 55 MW Turbine operating at 110 Kg/cm2 pressure & 540 degree C temperature. Consider feed water temperature 210 deg C & SSC 3.8

Solution:
Enthalpy of inlet steam at operating parameters (Refer steam table) Hs = 827 kcal/kg
Enthalpy of feed water = 215 kcal/kg
Turbine heat rate = Steam flow Qs X (Steam enthalpy Hs-Feed water enthalpy Hw) / Power generation
 Steam flow Qs = Power generation X SSC = 55 X 3.8 =209 TPH
THR = 209 X (827-215) / 55 =2325.6 kcal/kwh
Turbine efficiency = 860 X 100 / THR
ηTurbine = 860 X 100 / 2325.6 =36.97%

9-Power plant efficiency:
Again power plant efficiency is calculated based on heat output & heat input
Power plant efficiency = 860 X 100 / Heat rate

Example:
Calculate the efficiency of 100 MW power plant which consumes 65 TPH of coal having GCV 5200 kcal/kg.
Solution:
First calculate the plant gross heat rate (PGHR),
PGHR = Fuel consumption X GCV / Power generation
PGHR = 65 X 5200 / 100 = 3380 kcal/kwh
Ηplant = 860 X 100 /3380 = 25.44%

Note: Heat rate of cogeneration power plants is calculated as
Cogen heat rate (CHR)=((Fuel consumption X GCV + Heat content in return condensate + Heat content in makeup water - Sum of heat content in process steam))/Power generation.

10-Condenser efficiency:
It is given as
ηcondenser = Actual cooling water temperature rise X 100 / Maximum possible cooling water temperature rise

ηcondenser = (To-Ti) X 100 /(Ts-Ti)

To = Cooling water outlet temperature in deg C
Ti = Cooling water inlet temperature in deg C
Ts = Saturation temperature at exhaust in deg C
Example
A down flow type surface condenser has vacuum -0.85 kg/cm2 condenses 85 TPH steam at cooling water inlet and outlet temperatures 25 °C and 36 °C respectively, calculate the condenser efficiency.
Solution:
Ti = 25 deg C
To = 36 deg C
Ts at pressure -0.85 kg/cm2 = 58 deg C

ηcondenser = (To-Ti) X 100 /(Ts-Ti)
ηcondenser = (36-25) X 100 / (58-25) = 33.33%

11-Vacuum efficiency:
It is the ratio of actual vacuum in the condenser to the maximum possible vacuum that can be achieved.
Actual it is not possible to create 100% vacuum in any system
     ηvacuum= Actual vacuum in condenser X 100/Maximum Obtainable vacuum in the condenser

Example:
Exhaust steam from condenser enters at 47 °C, if the vacuum gauge of condenser reads -0.86 kg/cm2, find the vacuum efficiency.
Solution
Given that,
Condenser pressure = -0.86 kg/ cm2
So exhaust steam temperature = 47 °C
From steam tables, partial pressure of steam at exhaust temperature Ps =0.105 kg/cm2
Maximum obtainable vacuum by considering atmospheric pressure as 1.033 kg/cm2
= 1.033 - 0.105= 0.93 kg/cm2
Vacuum efficiency = (Actual vacuum in condenser X 100)/Max. obtainable vacuum.
         ηvacuum= 0.86 X 100/0.93 = 92.5%

12-Gear box efficiency:
Gear box efficiency is the ratio of out power to the input power
                   ηGearbox= Output power X 100 / Input power
Gear box efficiency cannot be 100%, there is always losses in terms of friction.
Some potential losses in gear box are

Example:
A helical gear box is used to drive a fuel feeding system, the input power of the gear box is 9.5 KW & output power is 8.7 KW, calculate GB efficiency
ηGearbox = Output power X 100 / Input power =8.7 X 100 / 9.5 =91.5%

13-Pump efficiency:
Pump efficiency is the ratio of to the pump hydraulic power to the Pump shaft power.

Example:
A pump is consuming 20 KW to deliver 72 M3/hr of water at height 55 meter, calculate its efficiency.

Pump hydraulic power Ph = Flow in m3/sec X Total head X 9.81 X water density / 1000 
Ph = (72/3600) X 55 X 9.81 X 1000 /1000
Ph =10.79 KW

ηpump = Hydraulic power X 100 / Shaft power
ηpump = 10.79 X 100 / 200 = 53.95%

14-Cooling tower (CT) efficiency:
ηCT = (CT inlet water temperature Ti-CT outet water temperature To) X 100 /(CT outet water temperature To-WBT)
ηCT =(Ti-T0) X 100 / (To-WBT)
CT efficiency can also be written as
ηCT = Range X 100 /(Range +Approach)
Where Range is temperature difference between CT inlet & outlet water
Approach is the temperature difference between CT outlet water & wet bulb temperature (WBT)

15-Fans efficiency:
Fans efficiency can be Mechanical efficiency or Static efficeincy.These are calculated based on static pressure & total pressure.

Static efficiency of the fan ηsfan= (Air flow in M3/sec X Static pressure in mmwc X 100) / (102 X Input power to fan shaft in KW)

Similarly mechanical efficiency can be calculated as
Mechanical efficiency of the fan ηfan= (Air flow in M3/sec X Total pressure in mmwc X 100) / (102 X Input power to fan shaft in KW)

Example:
A boiler ID fan consumes 220 KW power to sucky 60 m3/sec flue gas at static pressure 280 mmwc, calculate its static efficiency.

Solution:
Ps = 220 KW
Q = 60 m3/sec
Static pressure Hs = 280 mmwc

Static efficiency of the fan ηsfan= Q X Hs X 100 / 102 X Ps
                                         ηsfan = 60 X 280 X 100 / (102 X 220) =74.8%

Also read efficiency & Heat rate calculation of power plants

Heat rate & Efficiency of power plants



Best practices to reduce the Auxiliary power consumption (APC) in Sugar based Cogeneration plants.


Auxiliary power consumption is directly related with power plant profit. Lesser the APC more will be the power export & hence more profit. So it becomes duty of every power plant professions to strive to reduce APC wherever possible.
Below table gives the area wise APC in Bagasse/coal based power plants
Sl No.
Area
APC in %
1
Boiler fans
35-38%
2
Boiler feed water pumps
35-36%
3
Turbo generator & its auxiliaries
10-12%
4
Bagasse feeding system
2-2.5%
5
Coal feeding system
1%
6
Bagasse handling system
4-4.5%
7
Coal handling system
1.5- 2%
8
Ventilation, AC & Air Compressors
4-5%
9
Water treatment plant
2-3%

Note: Bagasse based Cogeneration plant have incorporated coal handling system as supporting system & also run the power plant in non-season days. So APC for bagasse handling/feeding & coal handling/feeding has been considered separately.
Now a day there is huge scope for reduction of plant APC. Here scope of APC reduction at various areas of plant has been discussed.
A-Boiler:
1-Improve the combustion efficiency:
Combustion efficiency improvement will directly relate to the air consumption. Improved combustion will reduce load on FD, SA & ID fans, hence power consumption will reduce. In cogeneration plants or ion any power plants Boiler fans consume around 35-38% of total auxiliary power consumption.
In order to reduce the air requirement & to improve the combustion efficiency need to concentrate on bellow areas
  • Select good quality of fuel, if using bagasse the moisture should be 49 to 50%, as the moisture increases excess air required will also increases. This loads the FD, SA & ID fans more than requirement.
  • Arrest all leakages in air & flue gas paths
  • Modify combustion air ducts to reduce resistance to air flow

Opportunities for energy conservation in power plant...
2-Boiler fans:
As discussed above Boiler fans consume 35-38% of total APC, so need to concentrate on Boiler fans efficient operation.
  • Operate boiler fans in VFD mode at optimum speed
  • Incorporate inlet guide vanes to the system
  • For high speed fans, ensure the silence fitted at suction size has sufficient opening & at lesser height
  • Ensure all inspection & man way doors are sealed properly
  • Ensure clearance between inlet cone & impeller suction neck is minimum
  • Monitor draught losses in flue gas duct, air ducting, APH, Economiser & ESP regularly
  •  Follow lubrication schedule, replace damaged bearings to reduce vibrations & bearing temperature. High vibration bearings consume more power
3-Boiler feed water pumps (BFP)
Boiler feed water consume around 35% of total APC of the plant. Hence it is utmost important to reduce the BFP power consumption. Attention must be given on following points to reduce BFP power consumption.
  • Select optimum capacity BFPs, Under load running pumps have low efficiency
  • Better to install HT drives for BFP
  • Incorporate VFD to BFPs
  • Operate BFP in Auto mode based on discharge header pressure & drum pressure
  • Do not operate the pump with discharge valve throttled
  • Ensure BFP ARC valve has no leakage
  • Ensure BFP has sufficient suction pressure
  • Maintain Deaerator level on higher set point side.
  • Replace worn out balance & counter balance discs
  • Schedule pumps servicing as per OEM guidelines. And replace impeller wear rings or impellers if clearance found more. More clearance between wear ring & impeller will lead to higher power consumption
  • Follow lubrication schedule, replace damaged bearings to reduce vibrations & bearing temperature.
  • Do not uses BFP discharge water for de-super heating of LP process steam, instead use CEP discharge water
  • Clean suction strainers regularly
4-ESP
  • Implement hopper heater automation by thermostat
  • Optimize the charge ratio of Transformer
B-Fuel feeding system:
Fuel feeding system consumes around 2-4% of total APC. Hence it need to give attention to reduce APC in this area. Following are the some listed action points to reduce APC.
  • Incorporate VFDs to all fuel feeding systems, as fuel feeding system never run on 100% load.
  • Select planetary type gear boxes to fuel feeding system, as planetary gear boxes found of higher efficiency
  • Follow regular preventive maintenance to reduce wear, tear & friction of rotating parts, which ultimately lead to more power consumption
  • Replace all loose V belts. Loose V belts lead to increased power consumption
C-Turbo generator & Auxiliary:
Turbine auxiliary consume around 10-12% of total APC of the plant. Following are the areas where we can monitor the APC
  • Maintain lube & control oil filters clean
  • Maintain optimum lube oil temperature
  • Maintain cooling tower fills & drift eliminators clean to get required cooling water temperature
  • Incorporate VFDs to all cooling water pumps
  • Set CT blade angle at 11-14 degree.
  • Replace CT fan aluminium blades by FRP
  • Ensure cooling tower surrounding area is free of trees & structures for free flow of air
  • Incorporate VFDs to Condensate extraction pumps (CEP)
  • Ensure hot well make up is going on from gravity water from feed tank or surge tank
  • Schedule regular cleaning of heat exchangers like steam condenser, oil cooler, ejectors & Generator air cooler & gland steam condensers
  • Replace TG building exhaust fans by turbo ventilators
D-Fuel handling (Coal & Bagasse handling):
  • Ensure motors selected for all Bagasse belt conveyors are of optimum rating
  • Incorporate planetary gear boxes to belt & chain conveyors
  • Replace all damaged idlers regularly. Damaged idlers lead to more friction in the system
  • Ensure Vertical gravity take up height is optimum (1 to 1.5% of conveyor length)
  • Ensure belt scrapers (cleaners) & skirt boards are not over rubbing the belt to avoid friction & wear/tear
  • Follow regular preventive maintenance & lubrication schedule for conveyor pulleys bearings & idlers
  • Remove saturated bagasse/coal from deck plates of conveyors regularly to avoid friction

E-Compressors/blowers & Ventilation/air conditioning system
For air compressors optimise discharge air pressure & set loading & unloading times as per requirement
  • Clean air filters regularly
  • Replace all globe valves by gate valves or ball valves
  • Ensure compressor discharge air line is of correct size to avoid pressure drop in the line
  • For pneumatic ash handling system operate ash handling plant in probe mode or else optimize cycle time & conveying time
  • Incorporate VFDs to ventilation system
  • Optimize the usage of Air conditioning system in offices, meeting halls etc
  • Avoid compressed air for cleaning applications
F-Water treatment plant

Thumb rules water treatment plant
  • Ensure enough capacity of tanks for DM water storage, so that the operation time of the plant can be reduced
  • Plan to get more quantity of return condensate from process
  • Optimize boiler & CT blow down to reduce pumping power
  • Incorporate drain condensate recovery system to reduce pumping power as well as to conserve thermal energy
  • Operate DM plant at its full capacity & carryout regeneration as per out put OBR given by OEM to reduce pumping power as well as water consumption
  • Use treated N-pit water as  service water
Other:
1-Motor
  • Provide proper ventilation to the motors. For every 10 °C increase in motor operating temperatures over recommended peak, the motor life is estimated to be halved.
  •  
  • Synchronous motors are more suitable to improve power factor.
  •  
  • Balance the three phase power supply, an unbalanced voltage can increase motor input power by 3–5%.
  •  
  • Ensure the motor proper rewinding, an improper rewinding could lead to efficiency reduction.
  • Ensure proper alignment between motor and load ends (fans, pump, gear box, blower etc.) to avoid more power consumption and failures.
2-Lighting
Incorporate timers for plant lighting systems like conveyors, street, bagasse & coal yards etc
Replace all CFL & incandescent bulbs by LED bulbs


Read POWER PLANT CALCULATIOS

15-Emergencies in power plant operation

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