Impact Factor (2025): 6.9
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
The 610 MW
subcritical power plant was originally designed to operate at a constant base
load with fixed boiler steam pressure. However, due to grid oversupply
conditions, the plant frequently operates at partial loads, resulting in
increased inefficiencies caused by throttle losses, particularly during minimum
load operations, which significantly reduce high-pressure (HP) turbine
efficiency. This study investigates the impact of sliding pressure operation,
which involves varying boiler steam pressure with load, on overall plant
efficiency compared to constant pressure operation. A virtual plant simulation
was employed to model the heat and mass balance of the power plant and simulate
operational scenarios under varying steam pressures. The optimal simulation
results were validated through direct testing on the plant, followed by
performance analysis. The results reveal that sliding pressure operation
improves HP turbine efficiency by 5-7%, reduces the net plant heat rate (NPHR)
by 57 kcal/kWh, and enhances overall thermal efficiency by 0.35% at 57% load
(350 MW).
Country : Indonesia
IRJIET, Volume 8, Issue 11, November 2024 pp. 211-218