Heat Balance Diagram for Thermal Power Stations By Sonal Kulshreshtha

What is Heat Balance Diagram?

Heat Balance Diagram or HBD for Thermal Power Station is the basically schematic representation of the whole steam cycle from Boiler to High Pressure (HP) Turbines Intermediate Pressure (IP) Turbines and Low Pressure (LP) Turbines to condenser to pumps to re-heaters and again to boiler.

This diagram also contains some information of steam properties like Pressure Temperature, enthalpy and mass of the steam at every junction of the line.

What information the HBD has?

As mentioned above, Heat Balance Diagram or HBD has the heat equation at points before and after every component. Considering the first point after the boiler, knowing the steam properties, pressure and temperatures, other properties like enthalpy of the steam can also be determined. Knowing the efficiencies and considerations like pressure drop across the control valves, these properties along the cycle can be determined, thus the heat rate of the system. With help of heat rate, the mass of steam required can be determined.

Why it is important?

Heat Balance Diagram is generally one of the first produced diagrams and part of Process Control Diagrams(PCDs), by an engineering wing or consultancy while working on the specifications of the project (power plant). HBD helps to engineer the plant by way of providing the steam properties at different point across the steam cycle, thus providing vital information, helpful to design the whole system and supporting systems. In a way this diagram is critical to finalize the specifications of different components before initiating the bidding procedures by the consultants, especially working on EPC assignments.

HBD, in fact also helps in estimating the cost of the plant as well as it provides the heat rate, operational cost can also be estimated. Knowing the both costs, it is easier to decide on refining the specifications of components (comparing initial investments as well as the operational costs), before bidding process, as mentioned above.

Usually there has been no ways for the project owner to comment on the consultants decision about the specifications. Mostly it has to be dependent on individual discretion and experience and expertise. However, recently some software solutions have come to provide support to engineers, which can simulate the Heat Balance Diagram for engineers to understand the process in a better way and not only to comment over the design provided by consultants, but also provide an opportunity to increase the operating efficiencies, resulting into significant saving in operational costs. Some of such commercial software which are based on Rankine cycle are "Simple Heat Balance", Thermoflow, FCycle (All from different vendors) are now available which are quite accurate and affordable.

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Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sonal_Kulshreshtha/1161455

Solar Thermal Power Generation - Energy Audit Is An Important Step Before Getting Started

By S. G. Fegan 

One of the principal things to do before even considering installing a solar thermal power generation system, is to get a professional home energy audit. Their recommendations could save thousands of dollars and also give suggestions for your best options with solar renewable energy. This gives you twice the savings. In the short-term there will be decreased energy bills and when you purchase a solar thermal system, there will be even less energy bought. This article answers several questions that typically come up about the need of an energy audit.

If I am going use solar thermal power generation anyway, why do I need an audit?

An energy audit will let you know how much electricity you are using now, and compare that to how much you can typically expect to generate with solar power. If there is a huge difference, then will need to take action in your home and actively figure out the best ways to reduce your daily use of power.

What sorts of things will I learn with this energy audit?

The first thing you learn is how much energy you are using right now. But more importantly it will point out where there is obvious and not so so obvious waste. For example if you have not changed to CFL bulbs yet, many dollars could be saved just be chucking the incandescent bulbs. A not so obvious waste might be with water pipes that need insulated..

What are other areas they might tell me I need to make changes with?

The will be quite a few simple suggestions like unplugging appliances that are not in use, or adjusting your thermostat, particularly during the extreme hot and cold spells. There will also be some suggestions that will involve cash output like insulation for roofs and hallways or energy-efficient windows.

What happened if I do not make the changes they suggest?

This is totally up to each individual. Some of the suggestions can be phased in over time, others you may choose what you can afford. The issue is the strain you will be placing on the solar thermal power generation product you install. If your demand is higher than what it can comfortable produce, you will end up either burning it out, or being disappointed that you still need to use power from the grid.

An energy audit could save you lots of time, by identifying the specific areas that need attention, rather than using a hit and miss approach. It will also save you money in the long run, as the savings you get from solar thermal power generation will be higher than they would have been otherwise without getting rid of all the energy wasting practices.

S. G. Fegan maintains a website Cool Energy Projects where you can read more details about solar thermal power generation, and other sources of renewable energy. Be sure to find access to the Free Renewable Energy and Other Money Saving Secrets For Your Home.
Get ready to start building a solar thermal power generation project this weekend!

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/S._G._Fegan/756495