Thermal Power Plant Performance Analysis

This book presents reliability-based tools used to define performance of complex systems and introduces the basic concepts of reliability, maintainability and risk analysis aiming at their application as tools for power plant performance improvement.

Power Plant Performance discusses the different procedures and practices involved in the operation of power plants. The book is divided into four parts. Part I covers general considerations such as steam cycles; the sampling, analysis, and assessment of coal; and pumping – its related terms, the different types of pumps, and the determination of sizes and efficiency. Part II tackles the important measurements in power plants such as temperature, pressure, and gas and water flow. Part III deals with the operation of power plant components such as the boiler, turbine, and condensers. Part IV tackles other related topics such as steam turbine heat consumption tests; plant-operating parameters; and the costs of outages. The text is recommended for professionals involved in the development, maintenance, and operation of power plants, especially those who would like to be familiar with the basics.

Thermal power plants are significant process industries for engineering specialists. The power sector has been facing several crucial issues over the past few years. The primary challenge is to meet the increasing power demand in a sustainable and efficient manner. Practicing power plant engineers not only look after the maintenance and operations of the plant, but also look after a variety of activities like research and development, starting from power generation to the environmental evaluation of the power plants. This book discusses features, operational matters, advantages and limitations of power plants, as well as the benefits of renewable power generation. It also elucidates thermal performance evaluation, fuel combustion matters, performance monitoring and modeling, component fault diagnosis and prognosis, functional analysis, economics of plant operation and maintenance, and environmental facets. This book discusses numerous issues related to both coal fired and gas turbine power plants. It will be beneficial for undergraduate and research oriented students, and for engineers working in power plants.

Thermal power plants are one of the most important process industries for engineering professionals. Over the past decades, the power sector is facing a number of critical issues; however, the most fundamental challenge is meeting the growing power demand in sustainable and efficient ways. Practicing power plant engineers not only look after operation and maintenance of the plant, but, also look after range of activities including research and development, starting from power generation to environmental aspects of power plants. The book Thermal Power Plants - Advanced Applications introduces analysis of plant performance, energy efficiency, combustion, heat transfer, renewable power generation, catalytic reduction of dissolved oxygen and environmental aspects of combustion residues. This book addresses issues related to both coal fired and steam power plants. The book is suitable for both undergraduate and research higher degree students, and of course for practicing power plant engineers.

Thermal Power Plants theme is a component of Encyclopedia of Energy Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty Encyclopedias. The Theme on Thermal Power Plants presents three main topics which are then expanded into multiple subtopics, each as a chapter. The first topic covers the basic theory including fossil fuel combustion, nuclear fission, thermal fluids and thermodynamic cycles. It then deals with those aspects important to the maintenance of high efficiency and good reliability such as exergy analysis, material characteristics and life extension. The second topic deals with the production of steam. Although this is only the heat receiving part of the steam cycle it is consistent with the general layout of the power plant where the fossil fuel fired boiler or nuclear fission reactor is a separate and distinct part with its own ancilliary equipment. Fossil boilers and nuclear reactors both produce steam but are so different that each is covered separately in its respective series of chapters. The third topic deals with the generation of power utilizing the steam produced in the boiler or reactor. Several chapters cover steam turbine design and operation. Since power must be produced to exactly match the demand, consideration is given to operational constraints and protective devices. Heat rejection in cooling towers is important where no large body of water exists and is addressed in one chapter. Gas turbines are used for peak power generation and, with steam turbines, for combined cycle plants so are dealt with in two chapters. Conversion of mechanical power from the turbine to electrical power for distribution to the consumer is an important aspect and is covered by the last chapter. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College Students Educators, Professional Practitioners, Research Personnel and Policy Analysts, Managers, and Decision Makers, NGOs and GOs.

Thermal Cycles of Heat Recovery Power Plants presents information about thermal power plant cycles suitable for waste heat recovery (WHR) in modern power plants. The author covers five thermal power cycles: organic Rankine cycle (ORC), organic flash cycle (OFC), Kalina cycle (KC), steam Rankine cycle (SRC) and steam flash cycle (SFC) with the working fluids of R123, R124, R134a, R245fa, R717 and R407C. The handbook helps the reader to understand the latest power plant technologies suitable for utilizing the waste heat generated by thermal industrial processes. Key Features: - Comprehensive modeling, simulation, analysis and optimization of 5 power cycle types with different working fluids - Clear information about the processes and solutions of thermal power cycles to augment the power generation with improved energy conversion. - Simple, reader friendly presentation - bibliographic references after each chapter for further reading This handbook is suitable for engineering students in degree courses and professionals in training programs who require resources on advanced thermal power plant operation and optimal waste heat recovery processes, respectively. It is also a handy reference for energy conversion efficiency in heat recovery power plants. The book is also of interest to any researchers interested in industrial applications of thermodynamic processes.

The Exergy Method of Thermal Plant Analysis aims to discuss the history, related concepts, applications, and development of the Exergy Method - analysis technique that uses the Second Law of Thermodynamics as the basis of evaluation of thermodynamic loss. The book, after an introduction to thermodynamics and its related concepts, covers concepts related to exergy, such as physical and chemical exergy, exergy concepts for a control method and a closed-system analysis, the exergy analysis of simple processes, and the thermocentric applications of exergy. A seven-part appendix is also included. Appendices A-D covers miscellaneous information on exergy, and Appendix E features charts of thermodynamic properties. Appendix F is a glossary of terms, and Appendix G contains the list of references. The text is recommended for physicists who would like to know more about the Exergy Method, its underlying principles, and its applications not only in thermal plant analysis but also in certain areas.

Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) Power Systems: Technologies and Applications provides a systematic and detailed description of organic Rankine cycle technologies and the way they are increasingly of interest for cost-effective sustainable energy generation. Popular applications include cogeneration from biomass and electricity generation from geothermal reservoirs and concentrating solar power installations, as well as waste heat recovery from gas turbines, internal combustion engines and medium- and low-temperature industrial processes. With hundreds of ORC power systems already in operation and the market growing at a fast pace, this is an active and engaging area of scientific research and technical development. The book is structured in three main parts: (i) Introduction to ORC Power Systems, Design and Optimization, (ii) ORC Plant Components, and (iii) Fields of Application. Provides a thorough introduction to ORC power systems Contains detailed chapters on ORC plant components Includes a section focusing on ORC design and optimization Reviews key applications of ORC technologies, including cogeneration from biomass, electricity generation from geothermal reservoirs and concentrating solar power installations, waste heat recovery from gas turbines, internal combustion engines and medium- and low-temperature industrial processes Various chapters are authored by well-known specialists from Academia and ORC manufacturers