EFFICIENCY OF A STEAM

POWER PLANT
 TYPES OF EFFICIENCY

• ENERGY EFFICIENCY
• OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
• ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY
ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The efficiency of the simple steam cycle is generally lower than

for other cycles such as the combined cycle. This is mainly due to
the fact that not all the heat can be harnessed or completely
used after the steam is sent through the steam turbines. This loss
is dictated by the laws of thermodynamics and limits the
efficiency of the system. The efficiency is set, in part, by the
maximum temperature that the steam attains and the minimum
temperature that can be used to cool the steam in the condenser.
Increasing the efficiency

The Carnot efficiency dictates that higher efficiencies can be

attained by increasing the temperature of the steam. Sub-critical
fossil fuel power stations can achieve 36–40%
efficiency. Supercritical designs have efficiencies in the low to mid
40% range, with new "ultra critical" designs using pressures of 4400
psi (and 512 °C ) and multiple stage reheat reaching 45-48%
efficiency. Above the critical point for water of 705 °F (374 °C) and
3212 psi (22.06 MPa), there is no phase transition from water to
steam, but only a gradual decrease in density.
Subcritical Water is water that is held by pressure at a
temperature higher than its natural boiling point of 100°C
(this could be anything up to its critical temperature of
374°C). Within a kitchen environment, this process can be
found within a simple pressure cooker, where food is cooked
rapidly due to the higher real temperature than regular
boiling water.
 At 374°C and 3212 psi, normal water becomes supercritical
water. "Supercritical" can be thought of as the "fourth
state" of a material. It is not a solid, a liquid or a gas -- and
appears as something like a vapor. At this point you can not
compress the water back into being liquid - it always stays in
something that looks like a vapor form. It’s completely
compressible
EQUATION

Where :
Ẇ 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏 turbine work

heat input
OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

Operational efficiency is the ratio of the total electricity produced

by the plant during a period of time compared to the total
potential electricity that could have been produced if the plant
operated at 100 percent in the period.

Operational efficiency can be expressed as

OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY
Economic efficiency is the ratio between production costs,
including fuel, labor, materials and services, and energy
output from the power plant for a period of time. Economic
efficiency can be expressed as
BENEFITS OF IMPROVING EFFICIENCY

• Better power plant efficiency reduces consumption of fuel,

which in turn reduces emissions, so saving are also achieved in
the cost of emission allowances.
• Power plant availability have direct impact to production,
unplanned failures will decrease the production and at the same
time the plants' profitability.
• Energy production costs can be significantly reduced by
improving energy efficiency of the power plant. This has direct
impact on fuel consumption which account for half of
production costs.
BASIC PRINCIPLE OF INCREASING THERMAL EFFICIENCY OF STEAM PLANT

The thermal efficiency of steam turbine plant on the basis of Carnot and Rankine cycle increases:
(a) Lowering the condenser Pressure - Lowering the operating pressure of the condenser lowers the
temperature at which heat is rejected. The overall effect of lowering the condenser pressure is an increase
in the thermal efficiency of the cycle.
(b) Superheating the steam to high temperatures-The average temperature at which heat is added to the
steam can be increased without increasing the boiler pressure by superheating the steam to high
temperatures.
Superheating the steam to higher temperatures has another very desirable effect: It decreases the
moisture content of the steam at the turbine exit.
(c) Increasing the Boiler pressure - Increasing the operating pressure of the boiler, automatically raises the
temperature at which boiling takes place.
This raises the average temperature at which heat is added to the steam and thus raises the thermal
efficiency of the cycle.
 FACTORS THAT AFFECT ITS EFFICIENCY
•Accessibility of Resources
•Location of the Power Plant
•Design of the Power Plant
•Skilled Labor
• Better Handling of Waste
•Better Equipment
•Suitable Fuel
Accessibility of Resources:
The sources which a plant needs to run has to be nearby as the
distance from the power plant will create transportation problems. A
steam power plant needs plenty of water to run on steam. It’s better
to build a power plant near a river or lake. If that is not possible,
then the plant can also operate near the sea.
Location of the Power Plant:
The area of the power plant can also affect its results. The energy
production facility should be near enough to the population to
prevent power losses. However, you must be aware that in case of an
accident; the community should be far away to avoid any hazard to
them.
Design of the Power Plant:
The layout of the power plant can increase or decrease the efficiency
of energy production. The engineer can design it in such a way that
the whole process can be in a single or double formation. The
machinery which is next in line should be near to the first to prevent
any lag in the transference of material. The design of the equipment
can also increase the output coefficient by many factors.
Skilled Labor:
The employees are the main component that will determine the
output of the power plant. Their capability will determine the
efficiency of energy creation. Since unskilled labor will cause more
problems and hinder your production activities.
Better Handling of Waste:
The industry has to process waste before releasing them in the
environment properly. They can use different innovative techniques
to reduce pollution. Due to the many restrictions put in by the
various environmental agencies, the plant has to dispose of material
properly. The waste has to go through many processes before it is
safe to dump them. This process can redirect a lot of attention
towards it causing an invaluable loss in resources.
Better Equipment:
The steam power plant operates with the help of different
equipment. It requires the overhauling of the material and the
continuous upgrade of pipes and valves. The steam power plant
involves highly anticorrosive equipment. Moreover, the amount of
pressure is quite massive, so the system needs to be strong and
resilient.
Better Equipment:
The steam power plant operates with the help of different
equipment. It requires the overhauling of the material and the
continuous upgrade of pipes and valves. The steam power plant
involves highly anticorrosive equipment. Moreover, the amount of
pressure is quite massive, so the system needs to be strong and
resilient.