Profit from latest experience with air-cooled condensers
This article examines the project design and development benefits of air-cooled technology (AC) condenser. Plant operators must understand and prepare for seasonal challenges, among others, if it is to continue being a long-term performance asset. Inability to hold condenser vacuum during hot weather can significantly lower plant efficiency and capacity and may even lead to forced outages. When summer ends and winter blows in, freezing problems can shut down a fully loaded plant within hours, and, if tubes are ruptured, can keep that plant down for weeks. Mechanical and electrical problems might also be introduced by the massive size or sheer number of fans and gear boxes. Even if the system is running well, AC condensers may exact an operations and maintenance (O M) toll in cleaning heat-exchanger surfaces or monitoring air leakage into the condenser tubes. Both the performance and the O M challenges can have a particularly significant impact on peaking-type facilities.
- OSTI ID:
- 7023410
- Journal Information:
- Power; (United States), Vol. 138:6; ISSN 0032-5929
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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