02-09-2017, 10:33 AM
On behalf of Perrin Quarles Associates, Inc. (PQA), Sargent & Lundy, L.L.C. (S & L) conducted a study of various methods for reducing the rate of heat power stations existing coal in the United States in a range of sizes-200 MW, 500 MW and 900 MW. The main intent of the study was to focus on methods that have been successfully implemented by the utility industry. The heat rate of a plant is the amount of energy required for the energy input (Btu, higher calorific value base) to produce net power 1kWh electricity. It is the metric most used in the electric power generation industry to track and report the performance of thermal power plants. The annual average of the operating heat rate of US coal-fired power plants. is about 10,400 Btu / kWh. The rate of heat installation design is based on full load operation without boiler blowdown, while most of the qualities of heat reported in operating facilities include performance during offpeak loads and include purge of the boiler. Because operating units report heat rates that include performance at all levels, the numbers are typically significantly higher than the design heat rate. This study identifies specific systems and plant equipment where you can make efficiency improvements through new facilities or modifications and provides estimates of net reductions in heat rate plant and the resulting order of magnitude costs for implementation. To carry out the study presented in this report, S & L surveyed the available literature, talked to technology makers and used their engineering knowledge as a basis.