Page 164 - Boiler plant and distribution system optimization manual

Over 100 Ways to Improve Efficiency 149

covered in a flash tank and the rest of the heat 4. Replace an existing feed-water heater or
in a heat exchanger. If steam is not needed, than de-aerator with a new more efficient
a simpler heat exchanger recovery configuration de-aerator.
can be used to make-up heat feedwater. 5. Install a back pressure control valve to re-
duce carryover during extreme load con-
Advantages/Disadvantages ditions
Proven technology. Perhaps the simplest and 6. Install a steam separator
cost effective approach to recapturing blow down 7. Heat Pumps
heat. 8. Cogeneration - Combined Heat and Power
9. Satellite boilers
10. Combined Cycle electrical generation
8. USE BLOWDOWN TO KEEP 11. Install backpressure turbines
IDLE BOILERS WARM 12. High temperature hot water systems
13. Adjustable speed drives for electric mo-
Cost tors.
Low 14. Infrared heaters
15. Submerged Combustion
Savings 16. Solar augmented water heating
Low 17. Use flue gas as a source of carbon dioxide
18. Run Around heat recovery systems.
Description 19. Install a hydronic system
If you are using steam to protect idle boil- 20. Pulse combustion systems
ers from freezing or need to keep them warm, hot 21. Install a direct contact water heater.
blowdown water can be diverted through idle 22. Ceramic wool furnace liner
boilers. Check with the manufacturer

Advantages/Disadvantages
This is a good use of low grade energy. First 1. REPLACE INEFFICIENT
cost, maintenance and operating costs are in- BOILERS BEYOND ECONOMICAL
volved. REPAIR.

Boiler systems have many losses connected
with their operation that are not obvious at first.
Section 10-6 The stack loss analysis is a good first look but a
longer test period over several months or even
Capital Investment Projects a year with accurate measurement of Btus input
and Btus output will provide the true story. Un-
fortunately, this information is not always avail-
CHECkLIST - 6 able and many units perceived to be efficient will
Capital Investment Projects be found to be quite inefficient.

1. Replace inefficient boilers beyond econom-
ical repair. 2. INSTALL A SMALL BOILER FOR
2. Install a small boiler for light load opera- LIGHT LOAD OPERATIONS
tions.
3. Replace oversized boilers to match existing Under light loading operations a small boiler
loads. is much more efficient than a larger unit because a