Determining steam condensation pressure in a power plant condenser in off-design conditions

Abstract

The paper presents formulas which can be used to determine steam condensation pressure in a power plant condenser in off-design conditions. The mathematical model provided in the paper makes it possible to calculate the performance of the condenser in terms of condensing steam pressure, cooling water temperature at the condenser outlet, and condenser effectiveness under variable load conditions as a function of three input properties: the temperature and the mass flow rate of cooling water at the condenser inlet and the mass flow rate of steam. The mathematical model takes into account values of properties occurring in reference conditions but it contains no constant coefficients which would have to be established based on data from technical specifications of a condenser or measurement data. Since there are no such constant coefficients, the model of the steam condenser proposed in the paper is universally applicable. The proposed equations were checked against warranty measurements made in the condenser and measurement data gathered during the operation of a 200 MW steam power unit. Based on the analysis, a conclusion may be drawn that the proposed means of determining pressure in a condenser in off-design conditions reflects the condenser performance with sufficient accuracy. This model can be used in optimization and diagnostic analyses of the performance of a power generation unit.