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Evaluating Boiler Performance in Refinery Operations Using Thermodynamic Principles

Chukwuemeke. P Ukpaka, Kingsley Okechukwu Achonwa, A. A Ujile, E. O. Ehirim

Abstract


This work involves the evaluation of effect of boiler operating temperature and pressure on the performance of steam power plant, a case study of Port Harcourt Refining Company. Thermodynamic principles of the Rankine cycle as the ideal cycle for steam power plant analysis were applied in this study. Boiler operating pressures of 43bar and 61bars were used. The results obtained showed that there was improved performance of the plant when the boiler temperature and pressure were increased. Thus, between 350 ºC and 500ºC, the dryness fraction increased from 0.83 to 0.90 at boiler pressure of 43bar and 0.79 to 0.88 at 61bar. The Rankine cycle efficiency increased from 30.10% to 33.11% at 43bar and 32.58% to 34.66% at 61bar when the boiler temperature was increased from 350ºC to 500ºC. Similarly, when the boiler temperatures were varied at constant boiler pressures of 43bar and 61bar, the specific steam consumption decreased from 4.298 to 3.465kg/kWh and 4.036 to 3.333kg/kWh respectively. In addition, the gross heat supplied and network output was also increased. The powers produced from the analysis were higher than the existing power output at Port Harcourt Refinery. Thus at constant boiler pressures of 43bar and between boiler temperature of 350 and 500ºC, 14.54 to18.04MW of power was generated, while at 61bar, 15.49 to 18.75MW of power was generated compared to the average 14.31MW of power that is generated at Port Harcourt Refinery. Finally, because of cost that may be incurred due to poor quality of steam at the turbine exhaust and the little variation in plant performance between the pressures investigated, it is economically viable to operate the boiler at lower pressure of 43bar. Key words: Evaluating, boiler, performance, refinery, operations, thermodynamic principles

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References


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