Condensing cycle-type power plant

Fig. 3. Simplified schematics of condensing cycle-type power plant. (Modified from Hudson 1998).

There are three potential types of OTEC power plants opcii-cyclc, closed-cycle, and hybrid systems. Open-cycle OTEC systems exploit the fact that water boils at temperatures below its normal boiling point when it is under lower than normal pressures. Open-cycle systems convert warm surface water into steam in a partial vacuum, and then use this steam to drive a large turbine connected to an electrical generator. Cold water piped up from deep below the oceans surface condenses the steam. Unlike the initial ocean water, the condensed steam is desalinated (free of salt) and may be collected and used for drinking or irrigation. 

Table 15.2 gives performance data for typical industrial type schemes using thermal power plant in a condensing steam cycle. These do not operate strictly in the simple cycle mode as varying degrees of feed heating are employed. However, overall they convey the basic cycle conditions that the industrial user would encounter and give efficiencies that can be expected. 

A typical BWR usually delivers steam at 285°C and has a condenser tenq)erature of - 25°C, hence = 0.47. Due to a less efficient energy cycle, friction, heat losses, pumps, etc., the net efficiency ( ei) of both reactor types is only about 0.32 — 0.35 (net electric output delivered to the grid divided by gross thermal output from reactor). In coal-, oil- and gas-fired power plants higher steam temperatures can be achieved, 500°C with T- 530°C and 30°C, = 0.65... 

Power Production. Steam cycles for generation of electric power use various types of boilers, steam generators, and nuclear reactors operate at subcritical or supercritical pressures and use makeup and often also condensate water purification systems as well as chemical additives for feedwater and boiler-water treatment. These cycles are designed to maximize cycle efficiency and reliability. The fuel distribution of sources installed in the United States from 1990—1995 are as follow coal, 45% combined cycle, 27% miscellaneous, 14% nuclear, 11% solar, oil, and geothermal, 1% each and natural gas, 0.3%. The 1995 summer peak generation in the United States was 620 GW (26). The combined cycle plants are predominantly fired by natural gas. The miscellaneous sources include bagasse, black liquor from paper mills, landfill gas, and refuse (see Fuels frombiomass Fuels fromwaste). 

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