Thermal plants Heat Rate and Methods of Reducing Fuel Cost

The heat rate of a plant is the amount of fuel energy input needed (Btu, higher heating value basis) to produce 1 kWh of net electrical energy output. It is the metric most often used in the electric power generation industry to track and report the performance of Thermal Power Plants. The average, annual operating Heat Rate of coal-fired Power Plants is approximately 10,400 Btu/kWh. The design heat rate of a facility is based on full-load operation with no boiler blowdown, whereas most reported heat rates of operating facilities include performance during off-peak loads and include boiler blowdown.
 

Because operating units report heat rates that include performance at all levels, the numbers are usually significantly higher than the design heat rate. In order to improve the Performance of a Thermal Power Plant, it is necessary to adopt heat rate improvement and performance monitoring. Thermal Plant heat rate is a key economic issue in the operation of thermal plants. The efficient utilization of fuel in Electric Power Production and desalination plants is the main target of this course.

Only by monitoring the performance can we determine whether it is cost-effective to continue operating the plant, or alternatively, maintenance and/or part renewal is necessary. In addition, to improve heat rate, different plant losses must be identified and understood, and innovative methods to decrease these losses taken. This course is devoted to studying and optimizing the cost of unit energy in power and desalination plants. 

• Learn what cycle parameters affect the Heat rate
• Illustrate the financial benefits of lowering the Heat Rate
• Illustrate Heat Rate Improvement Options
• Illustrate Heat Rate Audit
• Calculation of Cost Due to Heat Rate Deviations
• Capital and Maintenance Projects affecting the cost of unit energy
• Innovative methods for minimizing steam losses
• Learn methods for improving gas turbine heat rate
• What to consider for improved Boiler performance
• What to consider for improved Steam Turbine performance
• Quantified Benefits of Implementing Recommendations