Page 182 - Boiler plant and distribution system optimization manual

Over 100 Ways to Improve Efficiency 167

Figure 10.62—Example of method to measure steam loads on various equipment
in the steam system; a simple way to find out what is happening in your system.

wise be wasted, it can be salvaged and brought Potential Savings
back up to working pressure without large loss- Moderate to high
es using steam compression. In cases where a
large distribution system must be maintained at Description
a high pressure to just serve a small high pressure Electrically driven pumps and blowers are
load, the pressure for the system can be reduced usually installed because they are simpler and re-
and the small high pressure demand can be met quire less maintenance, however when the cost of
with steam compression. Screw compressors and electricity is considered, steam driven auxiliaries
steam eductor sets have been developed for steam may be more economical. If there is a place touti-
compression which are driven by either electric lize the full volume of exhaust steam from steam
or engine type prime movers. driven equipment, then a situation similar to co-
generation exists, where the rejected heat can be
Advantages/Disadvantages utilized improving over all cycle efficiency. Steam
Using steam compression to satisfy require- driven equipment is especially attractive where
ments in otherwise low pressure systems makes electrical demand charges are very high. (Figure
sense. These systems are cost effective. 10-63)

Advantages/Disadvantages
26. USE STEAM TO DRIVE EQUIPMENT TO High first cost, maintenance requirements
REDUCE ELECTRICAL DEMAND and the need for more operator skill work against
this option. Energy and cost savings could be
Cost very significant, you may have some of these old
Moderate to high units around.