SAVINGS ANALYSIS
Improve your condenser vacuum by a half-inch of mercury (0.5" HgA) and see what it could save!
Each plant has different operating characteristics, but calculating the answer is simply a matter of gathering some data and multiplying.
- In your "Turbine Data File" there should be a graph or table that shows Turbine Efficiency Improvement as a function of turbine back pressure [condenser absolute pressure]. We recently saw one that indicated a 0.3% improvement if the back pressure were dropped from 2.5" HgA to 2.0" HgA.
- Determine the Turbine Heat Rate, which is the Btu input to the turbine required to produce a kilowatt of electricity. A typical value is about 8500Btu/kW.
- Determine the cost of fuel. A recent spot price for natural gas was $7.00 per million Btu's.
Use the following calculation:
[0.003] [8500 Btu/kW-hr] [$7.00/106 Btu]
= 1.8 x 10-4 $/kW
= 1.8 x 10-4 $/kW
This appears to be insignificant until we factor in the amount of power produced over an entire year. If the plant is rated at 500 MegaWatts (500,000 kW) and it operates 8,000 hours per year:
[1.8 x 10-4 $/kW] [5 x 105 kW] [8 x 103 hr]
= $714,000 per year*
= $714,000 per year*
Now that's a figure worth considering! A fraction of this will purchase a condenser-exhauster system.
*All of this, however, depends on the conditions at your particular plant. Use the above formula to calculate your own potential savings.
DEKKER The Choice is Clear
DEKKER vacuum systems will help save you money without sacrificing quality. We provide a broad range of choices resulting in the most efficient and reliable products on the market. That, and a proactive approach to problem solving, makes DEKKER the ideal partner for your power industry vacuum needs. Contact DEKKER for a free on-site assessment of your power plant and see the savings for yourself.
