COURSE OVERVIEW

 

This practical and highly-interactive course includes practical sessions and exercises. Theory learnt will be applied using our state-of-the-art simulators. 

The efficient and optimum economic operation and planning of electric power generation systems have always occupied an important position in the electric power industry.  Electricity-supply industry has moved away from its regulated roots and is rushing toward freewheeling competition, spurring more creative uses of energy and unprecedented advancements in plant efficiencies. 

 

Power plants efficiency is very important in the economics of power generation.  Optimizing efficiency requires that all power plant systems function at peak performance over long-term operation.  

 

The performance of a power plant can be expressed through some common performance factors as heat rate (energy efficiency), thermal efficiency, capacity factors, load factor, economic efficiency and operational efficiency. 

 

Typical performance and efficiency challenges that power plant operators face include:- 

 

Combined Cycle Plant 

·            How much power loss and poor heat rate due to inefficient GT, HRSG, ST, Condensor, Cooling Tower? 

·            Are the calorific fuel measurements accurate for payment? 

·            What maintenance can be done to improve performance? 

·            How effective was that last GT compressor wash – was it worth the detergent cost and downtime? 

·            Is the HP Bypass valve passing? 

·            Is it necessary to clean the Condensor tubes? 

Conventional Steam Plant 

·            How much power loss and poor heat rate due to inefficient Boiler, Feed Water heater, Air Heater, Economizer, Steam Turbine, Condensor, Cooling Water Pumps? 

·            What maintenance can be done to improve performance? 

·            How effective was that last Steam Turbine inspection overhaul? 

·            How much leakage is there in the Air Heater 

·            Is the Economizer section fouled? 

·            Is the FD Fan performing according to curve? How to continuously determine the heatrate of a coal fired steam plant without knowing the heating value of coal or having an accurate load cell to measure the coal flow? 

 

This course will cover the analytic methods used to evaluate power plant performance and quantify the degradation of major power plant equipment. Performance test calculation methods (like the ASME Performance Test Code procedures) will be presented, but the course focuses mainly on detailed heat balance and expected equipment performance prediction methods. These more detailed methods are the essential building blocks of performance monitoring systems that are truly capable of evaluating degradation with repeatable precision. The methods in this course will be presented in sufficient detail to enable participants to construct useful customized performance monitoring calculations for their own power plants. 

 

The course is designed to provide the power plant personnel with the fundamental knowledge to be able to begin the development, or to implement an effective heat rate improvement program. Design and operating theories of power plant equipment will be presented. Thermodynamics and heat transfer will be reviewed and practically applied to operation. Calculations will be performed, using actual case studies, to determine steam and gas turbine efficiency, condenser cleanliness, turbine cycle heat rate, corrections, HRSG efficiency, and feedwater heater performance.