Optimization of Auxiliary Power Consumption of Combined Cycle Power Plant

Abstract

Energy requirement increases day by day. Thermal power plants are the major source of energy for electricity generation. They are also the major polluter of the environ- ment. In order to reduce environmental pollution either energy consumption should be reduced or energy should be generated with higher conversion e_ciency. In thermal power plants part of energy generated by the plants is being consumed by di_erent auxiliaries. The power consumption by these auxiliaries is very high due to poor op- eration or bad design of the equipments. There are two di_erent ways to improve the e_ciency either by e_cient operation or by facility conversion. The pumps and com- pressors are the main auxiliaries which consumes sizable power produced by thermal power plants. Here an attempt is made to improve the e_ciency of above mention auxiliaries. To improve the performance of the pumps various methods have been suggested in the present study. This includes impeller trimming, de-staging and installation of variable frequency drives(VFD). Similarly methods for improving compressor ef- _ciency have also been suggested in the present study. Before modi_cations actual data are collected for pumps and compressors. Power and e_ciency are calculated and same are compared with ideal values reported in supplier manuals. On the basis of discrepancies in above data, methods for performance improvements are suggested. The cost involve for the modi_cations in the existing set up is also evaluated. To check economic viability of the modi_cationn suggestion indices like simple payback period, bene_t to cost ratio , cost of saved energy etc. have been calculated.