Optimization of Operational Design Parameters of Superheated Steam Micro Power Plant
Optimization of Operational design paramters for steam power plant
Abstract
High cost of maintaining power plants has hindered the sustenance of small scale businesses; hence, there is the need to optimize plant’s operational parameters to enhance energy delivery efficiency for domestic and SMEs consumption. This study applied strategies of reduction of heat losses through optimal design for micro power plant operational parameters. For the 5-10 kW plant at PKS fuel feeding rates of 0.000703 kg/s and 0.000352 kg/s, temperatures (pressures) of 220oC (0.38 MPa), and 235oC (0.35MPa), optimal steam mass flow rate of 0.00357 kg/s and 0.00178 kg/s were respectively established. For safety and economy of operation, running at the lowest possible temperatures (pressures) of 235 oC (0.35 MPa) would be sufficient in both plants (5-10 kW) for generating optimum steam flow velocities (14.87 m/s, 7.43 m/s). This outcome outperformed the known micro power plants by at least 12%.
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