Heat Rate Optimization

Overview

This program is designed to aid in upgrading knowledge and understanding of the integrated fossil fuel power plant, and improve the operator's ability to optimize thermal efficiency and equipment reliability, thereby improving the plant's economic performance. This program is available in both Imperial and Metric forms.

Who Benefits:

Thermal power plant operators and supervisors. The company, and its customers all benefit from reduced cost resulting from increased efficiency in plant operation.

Language Availability:

English

Format:

• Video
• MPEG
• CD-ROM
• VCD
• Web (SCORM)

Video Support Material:

Reproducible student workbook and instructor guide available with each module.

View the Learning Objectives

Program Segments

7801 Fundamentals of Plant Efficiency I

Review of boiler, turbine cycle, and plant efficiency; heat rate; the effect on efficiency of: steam pressure and temperature, exit gas temperature, turbine exhaust pressure, fuel composition, fuel air mixing, heat loss in h₂o to atmosphere.

7802 Fundamentals of Plant Efficiency II

Mechanical losses; review of: Mollier diagrams, temperature entropy diagrams, heat temperature curves for water (steam); wetness; ideal vs real expansion; effect on cycle efficiency of feedwater heating: steam pressure, steam temperature, turbine exhaust pressure, adding a reheat cycle; feedwater heating.

7803 Factors Affecting Boiler Efficiency

The boiler "system"; fuel quality and prepa-ration; ash fusion temperature; fireside deposits; heat transfer; exit gas temperature; dew point; excess air; CO; unburnt carbon; attemperation; air heaters; leakage; flue gas analysis; silica carryover; blowdown.

7804 Operator Controllable Losses: Boiler

Operator awareness, diagnosis and corrective action; control of steam pressure and temper-ature; exit gas temperature; combustion; furnace conditions; draft pressures; excess air; slagging; deposits; sootblowing.

7805 Factors Affecting Turbine Efficiency

Steam conditions throughout cycle; changes in steam pressure and temperature; exhaust steam wetness; condenser backpressure; extraction steam; feedwater heaters; silica deposits; blade erosion; steam leakage; sliding pressure control.

7806 Operator Controllable Losses: Turbine Cycle

Condenser performance; terminal temperature difference; cooling water temperature rise; tube deposits and blockage; insufficient C.W. flow; condenser venting and cleaning; air in-leakage, ejectors; vacuum pumps, gland seal system; expansion joints; control of steam admission; partial/full arc.

7807 Balance of Plant Operation

Feedwater heaters; terminal temperature difference; heater drains; drain cooler; approach temperature; desuperheating section; deaeration; pump performance; operating characteristics; cavitation; efficiency; effect of load changes on plant efficiency.

7808 Power Plant Control

Generation control; modes of plant control: boiler follow, turbine follow; coordinated; types of control system: pneumatic, electronic, digital; impact of control on efficiency; control of start-up and shut-down.