Base load generators

Diesels are used in many industrial applications (for example, for base-load generation in mines, cement plants and in remote regions of the world). In addition, they are often utilized to provide standby power for hospitals, telecommunications, banks, computer centers and office complexes that must have full independent power capability. The diesel can be started rapidly, making it ideal for peak lopping duties to meet maximum load demands, or for emergency use in cases of power supply interruptions. 

On the other hand, one part of the winter surplus is stored as hydrogen in order to be used in the summer to provide base load generation, while the other part of the surplus is sold directly to other application areas. In contrast, hydrogen sale is irrelevant in summer since the surplus is lower and mainly caused by the short-term cycles of photovoltaics. These short-term surpluses can be stored until the following night by short-duration storage technologies (e.g. PSP). 

United Technologies Corporation has also built the very large (4.8 MW) demonstration PAFC units in Manhattan and Tokyo for the electricity utilities. These are designed for peak generation near the load centers so as to smooth the demand on the transmission and distribution systems. Base load generation by means of fuel cells appears to be well in the future as the cost targets are such that only advanced, high temperature fuel cells are likely to be economic and these have severe developmental problems of a materials science nature yet to be solved. 

Being more economical for base-load generation. 

The GT-MHR is projected to have economic advantages over other plants for the addition of new base load generation capacity. The economic competitiveness of the GT-MHR is a consequence of the use of the direct Brayton cycle power conversion system and the broad implementation of inherent safety features and passive safety systems. The direct Brayton... 

It is a large-scale base-load generator. After half a century s experience, it is a reliable mature technology. 

Electric power generation using biomass as a fuel is economic in situations where the cost of the fuel is competitive with that of fossil fuels. The cost of a commercially available biomass steam—electric power plant is about 1500/kW for a wood-fired facility. If wood can be obtained at a cost of 2.00/GJ ( 2.10 X 10 /Btu), the total cost of power for base-load operation would be about 0.05/kWh. If wood or agricultural wastes are available at... 

Simpson, S. W. Many, S. M. and Messerle, H. K. (1989). Open-Cycle Disk Generators Lahoratoiy Experiments and Predictions for Base-Load Operation. MHD An International Journal 2(l) 57-63. 

Since the early 1960s, advanced steam conditions have not been pursued. In the 1960s and early 1970s there was little motivation to continue lowering heat rates of fossil-fired plants due to the expected increase in nuclear power generation for base-load application and the availability of relatively inexpensive fossil fuel. Therefore the metallurgical development required to provide material X for advanced steam conditions was never undertaken. 

The gas turbine is widely used by electrical supply authorities for peak lopping and standby generation. Additionally, it is often employed for base-load operation when the fuel costs are low. 

Rotary positive-displacement compressors should be operated as base loaded units. They are especially sensitive to the repeated start-stop operation required by load-following applications. Generally, rotary positive-displacement compressors are designed to unload about every six to eight hours. This unload cycle is needed to dissipate the heat generated by the compression process. If the unload frequency is too great, these compressors have a high probability of failure. 

NOTE As a consequence of the different kinds of operational and management problems associated with raising steam in industrial boiler plants, it often requires a different mindset than that needed for a base-load utility power house, where personnel strive to maintain steady-state (but knife-edge) operating conditions. The differences between industrial plants and power generators is also reflected in the waterside chemistries and monitoring and control objectives of their respective boiler plant systems. 

These problems are more acute in the power industry, where intermittently operated, peaking steam generators produce and collect significantly more iron oxides than base load boilers. Frequent startups of power boilers are very detrimental to their lifespan. 

As the lowest point of supply vessels for furnace-wall generating tubes, headers are particularly susceptible to fouling by the settlement of suspended solids. Also, headers are not always blown down according to schedule in base-load boilers, and this may add to their potential for sludge deposition. Headers usually have removable end caps that enable an inspection to be carried out, although mirrors and a light source are required to facilitate this. 

A utility boiler that operates at constant output in order to generate base-load electricity. 

MCFC CH4, Coal 650 C 100-5000 50-55 150-300 10,000-40,000 1250 Base load and intermediate load power generation, cogeneration... 

Reference 2 is a well written report that discusses power plant coal utilization in great detail. It gives a thermal efficiency of 80-83% for modem steam generation plants and 37-38% thermal efficiency for modem power generating plants at base load (about 70%). A modem base load plant designed for about 400 MW and up will run at steam pressures of 2,400 or 3,600 psi and 1,000°F with reheat to 1000°F and regenerative heating of feedwater by steam... 

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