Beware of nominal cooling towers
Journal Article
·
· Power Engineering (Barrington)
OSTI ID:250781
This article describes how taking into account WBT tower performance can save millions in revenue and fuel costs. A 3 F temperature increase caused by an inefficient or poorly functioning cooling tower could cost a 300-kW power plant as much as $300,000 annually in lost sales. The revenue lost from operating a generating plant with circulating water temperatures hotter than those designed for the plant is illustrated. Colder water from cooling towers is responsible for producing better vacuums, relieving back pressure on turbines and lowering heat temperatures and pressures. As a result of cooling tower inefficiencies and the resulting higher temperature, the plant must burn additional fuel to overcome operation at lower efficiency levels and vacuums. The alternative is lower electricity generation and loss of sales. The added fuel costs caused by higher circulating water temperatures are illustrated.
- OSTI ID:
- 250781
- Journal Information:
- Power Engineering (Barrington), Journal Name: Power Engineering (Barrington) Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 100; ISSN 0032-5961; ISSN POENAI
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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