Page 34 - Boiler plant and distribution system optimization manual

Chapter 2

Optimizing Boiler Plants

Establishing the Ideal Scene

Optimizing the performance of boiler plants economic evaluations and justifying additional
and distribution systems is a broad and rewarding personnel and modifications to existing systems.
subject. On the surface you might think it requires The next step will be to tune-up the boiler
a great deal of knowledge and insight. It covers and accomplish any maintenance and repair iden-
many engineering subjects and involves an un- tified during the initial testing to bring it back, as
derstanding of the dynamics of operating systems close as reasonably possible, to its original design
composed of many subsystems and components. performance level.
If the job is approached on a systematic basis, it
is much simpler and you will be more successful. ————————————————————————
This book is organized for a systematic and simple Tuned-up efficiency is the efficiency after operating adjust-
approach to boiler plant optimization. ments, lowering excess air, and minor repairs have been
completed. This will be the baseline efficiency for estimating
———————————————————————— all future savings.
As-found efficiency is the efficiency for a boiler in its exist- ————————————————————————
ing state of repair and maintenance. This efficiency will be
used as the baseline for any later efficiency improvements. There are many minor problems which can
It is very important that the as-found efficiency be recorded develop during the life of a boiler and distribu-
because it will serve as a benchmark to estimate the value of tion systems that cause non-optimum perfor-
a Boiler Optimization program mance. Over time, they can waste a great deal of
———————————————————————— energy.
To make an honest and accurate evaluation
The beginning point for Boiler Plant Optimi- of the potential savings available, all equipment
zation Program is to establish the as found efficiency must be in a normal state of repair with the boiler
for each boiler and system. This information will air/fuel ratios at designed levels. If this is not the
serve as a datum to show the expected benefits of case, estimates of savings and justifications for
the program. new equipment and modifications will contain
It may be that millions of dollars can be false information leading to poor decisions.
saved by improving plant and distribution sys- It is very important that the tuned-up effi-
tem efficiency. The as-found conditions will serve ciency be accurate, because the economic benefits
as a datum for establishing this fact and also il- of improvement options will be estimated from
lustrate the folly of neglecting boilers and their this efficiency.
energy distribution systems to management and Next, there should be an estimate of the sav-
decision makers. ings if the efficiency were to be improved to a rea-
Also, if the plant is found to be efficient, it will sonable level. This information is used to deter-
bring credit to those responsible for the plant. In mine if further work on a boiler is justified and to
any case the as-found efficiency is important for set priorities for competing projects.

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