POWER PLANT ENGINEERING

Problem 1.
A power plant is said to have a Plant use factor of 48.5% and a Plant capacity factor of 42.4%. How many hours
did it operate during the year?
Given:
PUF = 48.5%
PCF = 42.4%
Required: no. of hours operated =?
Plant use factor = annual KWH produced / KW capacity x hours operation
Plant capacity factor = average annual load / KW capacity
Plant load factor = average annual load / peak or max load

Hours operation = annual kwh production / [use factor x plant capacity]

= [average load x 8760] / [use factor x plant capacity]
= [average load x 8760] / [use factor x (ave load/capacity factor)
= 8760 / [use factor/capacity factor]

PUF / PCF = 8,760 / hours operation

No. of hours operation = 8,760 [PCF/PUF]

= 8,760 [0.424/0.485]
= 7,658 hours
Problem 2.
A power plant has the following annual factors:
Plant load factor = 0.75, = average annual load / peak (max.) load
Plant capacity factor = 0.6, = average annual load / plant capacity
Plant use factor = 0.65, = annual energy production / plant capacity x hours in operation
maximum demand = 60 MW. (Peak load)
Estimate: the hours during which the plant is not in service operation.

Average annual load = Plant load factor x peak load

= 0.75 x 60 MW = 45 MW

Annual energy production = Average annual load x annual total hours

= 45,000 KW x 8,760 hours
= 394.2 x 106 KWH

Plant capacity = average annual load / plant capacity factor

= 45 MW / 0.6 = 75 MW

Plant use factor = annual energy production / plant capacity x hours in operation
Hours in operation = annual energy production / plant capacity x (plant use factor)
= 394.2 x 106 KWH / 75,000 KW x 0.65 = 8,086 hrs

Hrs not in service in a year = 8760 – 8,086 = 674

Problem 3.
The peak load on a power plant is 60 MW. The load demands of 30 MW, 20 MW, 10 MW and 14 MW are connected to the
power plant. The capacity of the power plant is 80 MW and the annual load factor is 0.50.
Estimate: energy supplied / year

Average annual load of the plant, (MW) is

Average annual load = Plant load factor x peak load

= 0.5 x 60 MW

= 30 MW

Annual energy production = average annual load x 8,760 hours

= 30 x 103 KW x 8,760 hrs

= 262.8 x 106 KWH
Problem 4.
A coal-fired power plant has a turbine generator rated at 1000 MW gross. The plant required about 10% of this power for its
internal operations. It uses 10,000 tons of coal per day. The coal has a heating value of 6,500 Kcal/kg and the steam generator
efficiency is 86%. What is the thermal efficiency of the plant in percent?
Given: Gross Power = 1,000 MW
Plant usage = 10% of the gross = 100 MW
Net Power = 900 MW = 900,000 KW
Mcoal = 10,000 tons/day = 115.74 kg/sec
HVcoal = 6,500 Kcal/kg = 27,216 KJ/kg
Boiler Eff = 86%

Heat input = Mass of coal (HHV fuel)

= 115.74 kg/sec (27,216 KJ/kg)
= 3,149,979.84KW

Thermal Eff = Net Power / Heat input

= 900,000 KW / 3,149,979.84 KW
= 0.2857 = 28.57%
Problem 5.
In a geothermal plant site, pressurized ground water is available. The power generated is 60 MW with a generator efficiency
of 96%. The mechanical efficiency is 85%. The enthalpy entering and leaving the turbine are 2,800 KJ/kg and 2,100 KJ/kg,
respectively. The mass of returned water is 10% of well bore product. Determine the number of steam wells if it has a
capacity of 15 kg/s per well.

Gen. Eff = Output/Input = power output generated/brake shaft power

Brake power = power output gen / gen efficiency = 60,000/0.96 = 62,500 KW
Mech. Eff = brake shaft power / turbine power
Turbine power = brake shaft power / mechanical efficiency = 62,500 KW / 0.85 = 73,529 KW

Taking energy balance from turbine:

Ms x (2,800 KJ/kg) = Ms x (2,100 KJ/kg) + 73,529 KW
(2,800 – 2,100) Ms = 73,529 kJ/sec
Ms = 73,529 kJ/sec / (2,800 – 2,100) KJ/kg = 105 kg/sec
Therefore, MT = 105 / 0.9 = 116.67 kg/sec
No. of wells = 116.67 kg/sec / 15 kg/sec/well = 7.78 wells = 8 wells
Problem 6.
A hydro power station has the following data:
Reservoir area – 2.5 km2
Capacity – 5 M m3
Net head of water at the turbine – 80 meters

Calculate the total water energy in KWH which can be generated from the above data.

Water Energy =QxxH

= (5 x 106 m3) x (1000 kg/m3) x (9.81 m/sec2) x (80 m)

= 3.924 x 1012 Joules

= 3.924 x 109 KJ / [3600 KJ/KW-hr]

= 1.09 x 106 KW-hr

= 1.09 x 10³ MW-hr

Problem 7
A reaction turbine is supplied with 100 m3/sec of water and operates under a maximum head of 120 m at 350 rpm.
Assuming over-all efficiency of the plant of 80% and specific weight of water of 1,000 kgf /m3, calculate the water
power developed in MW.

Power Developed = Q x  x H x 
= 100 m3/sec x 1,000 kgf /m3 x 120 m x 0.8
= 9,600,000 kgf – m / sec
= 128,000 metric horsepower
= 128,000 PS
= 94,208,000 W
= 94,208 KW
Problem 8
A 305 mm x 457 mm, four stroke, single acting diesel engine is rated at 150 KW at 260 rpm. Fuel consumption at rated load
is 0.26 kg/KWH with a heating value of 43,912 KJ/kg. Calculate the brake thermal efficiency.
Given:
305 mm x 457 mm four stroke cycle
150 KW at 260 rpm rated load = 0.26 kg/KW-hr
HVf = 43,912 KJ/kg etbB =?

Solution:
mr = (0.26 kg/KW-hr)(150 KW)
= 39 kg/hr or 0.0108 kg/s

etb = 150 / [(0.0108)(43,912)]

= 0.3163
= 31.63%
9. A hydro power station has the following data:
Reservoir area = 2.5 km2
Capacity = 5 x 106 m3
Net head of water at the turbine = 80 m
Turbine Efficiency = 80%
Generator Efficiency = 90%

Find by how many meter the level of reservoir will fall if a load of 50,000 KW is utilized for 8 hours
Water Energy = Q x  x H
= (5 x 106 m3) x [(1000 kg/m3) x (9.81 m/sec2)] x (80 m)
= 3.924 x 1012 Joules
= 3.924 x 109 KJ / 3600 KJ/KWH
= 1.09 x 106 KWH x 0.9 x 0.8
= 784,800 KWH

Let the fall in level reservoir = h; Time = 8 hrs

Q = Power /  x H x Eff
= 50,000 KW / 9.81 KN/m3 (80m)(0.8)(0.9)
= 88.49 m3/sec

h = Q x time / area
= 88.49 m3/s (18,000 s) / 2.5 x 106 m2
= 0.637 m = 63.7 cm = 637 mm
INDUSTRIAL PLANT ENGINEERING
Problem 10
A steam generator with economizer and air heater has an overall draft loss of 2.178 cm water. If the stack gases are at 177ºC and
if the atmosphere is at 101.325 and 26 ºC, what theoretical height of stack in meter is needed when no draft fans are used?
Assume that the constant for the flue gases is the same as that for air.
H = hw / [δa – δg]
solving for total draft, hw;
hw = height x weight density
= 0.02178m x 9.81 KN/m3
= 0.214 KN/m2
solving for the densities of air and gas:
dair = P/RT
= 101.325/0.287(26+273)
= 1.18 kg/m3
dgas = P/RT
= 101.325/0.287(177+273)
= 0.784 kg/m3
then;
H = hw / [da – dg] g
= 214 N/m2 / [1.18 – 0.784] kg/m3 (9.81m/s2)
= 214 N/m2 / 3.885 N/m3
= 55 m
Problem 11
A single stage air compressor handles 0.454 m3/s of atmospheric pressure, 27˚C air, and delivers it to a receiver at 651.325 KPa.
Its volumetric efficiency is 0.72, its compression efficiency on an isothermal basis is 0.85 and its mechanical efficiency is 0.90.
If it rotates at 350 rpm, what power in KW is required to drive it?
Solution:
Drive Power = Isothermal power / comp eff x mech eff
where:
Isothermal Power = P1Vl ln (P2/P1)
= 101.325(0.454) ln (651.325/101.325)
= 85.6 KW

Thus; Drive power = 85.6 KW / 0.85(0.90)

= 112 KW
Problem 12
A single stage air compressor handles 0.454 m3/s of atmospheric pressure, 27˚C air, and delivers it to a receiver at 651.325 KPa.
Its volumetric efficiency is 0.72, its compression efficiency on a polytropic (n = 1.3) basis is 0.85 and its mechanical efficiency
is 0.90. If it rotates at 350 rpm, what power in KW is required to drive it?
Solution:
Drive Power = Indicated power / compression efficiency x mechanical efficiency
where:
Indicated Power = (n / n – 1) (mf R T1)[(PD / PS)n-1/n – 1]
= (n / n – 1) (P1 V1’)[(PD / PS)n-1/n – 1]
= (1.3 / 0.3) (101.325)(0.454)[(651.325 / 101.325)0.3/1.3 – 1]
= (4.33) (46)[(6.43)0.23 – 1]
= 4.33 x 46 x 0.534
= 106.4 KW

Thus; Drive power = 106.4 KW / 0.85(0.90)

= 139 KW
Problem 13
Air enters a fan through a duct at a velocity of 6.3 m/sec and an inlet static pressure of 2.5 cm of water less than atmospheric pressure. The air leaves the fan through
a duct at a velocity of 11.25 m/sec and a discharge static pressure of 7.62 cm of water above the atmospheric pressure. If the specific weight of the air is 1.2 kg/m3
and the fan delivers 9.45 m3/sec, what is the fan efficiency when the power input to the fan is 13.75 KW at the coupling?

h = total head = static pressure head + velocity head

HT = HV + H S
HV = [Vel22 – Vel12] /2g
= [11.252 – 6.32] m2/s2 / 2(9.81) m/s2
= 86.8725 / 19.62
= 4.428 m
HS1 = – 0.025 m x [9810 N/m3/ 1.2 kg/m3 (9.81 m/s)]
= – 20.83 m air
HS2 = 0.0762 m x [9810 N/m3/ 1.2 kg/m3 (9.81 m/s)]
= 63.5 m air
HS = HS2 – HS1
= 63.5 – (– 20.83)
= 84.33 m air
HT = HV + HS
= 4.428 m + 84.33 m
= 88.76 m air

TAP = ɤ Q HT = 1.2(9.81)(9.45)(88.76) = 9874.14 W = 9.874 KW

Fan Efficiency = TAP / Power input to fan

= 9.874 KW / 13.75 KW
= 0.7181
Problem 14
Find the Air Horse Power (Air Power) of an industrial fan that delivers 20,000 cfm of air through a 3ft X 4ft outlet with a static pressure of
3”H2O gage. Air temperature is 70F and barometric pressure is 14.7 psia.

SOLUTION:
Q = 20,000 ft3/min = 333.33 ft3/sec
SOLVING FOR THE AIR HORSEPOWER (IN TERMS OF AIR):
TOTAL AIR POWER (TAP) = γ Q [HT]

Where:
vel2 = Q / A2 = 333.33 ft3/s / 3ft x 4ft = 27.78 ft/s
HSa = HW x ρw / ρa
= [0.25 ft x 62.34 lb/ft3] / 0.075 lb/ft3
= 207.8 ft air
HVa = vel22/2g
= 27.782/64.4 = 11.98 ft air
HT = HVa + HSa
= 11.98 + 207.8
= 219.78 ft air

Therefore:
TAP = Q γ HT = 333.33 ft3/s (0.075 lb/ft3)(219.78 ft)
= 5495 ft-lb/sec
= 5495/550
= 10 hp
Problem 15
Air is flowing in a duct with velocity of 7.62 m/sec and static pressure of 2.16 cm water gauge. The duct diameter is 1.22 m
the barometric pressure 99.4 KPa and the gauge fluid temperature and air temperature are 30C. What is the total pressure of
air against which the fan will operate in cm of water?
SOLUTION:
HT = HV + HS
Where: HV = vel2/2g
= [7.62 m/s]2 / 2(9.81m/s2)
= 2.96 m air

ρa = Pa / R Ta
= 99.4 / 0.287(303)
= 1.143 kg/m3

HVw = HVa x [ρa / ρw]

= 2.96 m air x [1.143 / 1000]
= 0.00338 m water
Therefore:
HTw = 2.16 cm water + 0.338 cm water
= 2.5 cm water
Problem 16
Water in the rural area is often extracted from underground water source whose
free surface is 5 m below ground level. The water is to be raised 60 m above the
ground by a pump. The diameter of the pipe is 10 cm at the inlet and 10 cm at
the exit. Neglecting any heat interaction with the surroundings and frictional
heating effects, what is the water power for a steady flow of water at the rate of
15 liters/s in KW?
Solution:
H = (ZD – ZS) = 60 – ( - 5) = 65 m
WP = Q ɤ H = 0.015(9.81)65 = 9.56 KW
Problem 17
The rate of flow of water in a pump installation is 60 kg/sec. The intake gage reads 68.95 KPa
gage; the discharge gage 344.75 KPa gage. The gages are located close to the pump as much
as possible. The areas of the intake and discharge pipes are 0.093 m2 and 0.069 m2,
respectively. The pump efficiency is 70%. Take density of water equals 1,000 kg/m3. What is
the hydraulic power in KW?

Q = 60/1000 = 0.06 m3/s

VS = Q / AS = 0.06 / 0.093 = 0.65 m/s
VD = Q / Ad = 0.06 / 0.069 = 0.87 m/s

Hd = Pd / ᵧ + Vd2 /2g + Z = [344.75 / 9.81] + 0.872 /2(9.81) + 0 = 35.14 + 0.039 = 35.18m

HS = PS / ᵧ + VS2 /2g + Z = [68.95 / 9.81] + 0.652 /2(9.81) + 0 = 7.03 + 0.022 = 7.052m

TDH = HD – HS = 35.18 – 7.052 = 28.13m

WP = Q (ᵞ) TDH = 0.06 (9.81)(28.13) = 16.6 KW

Problem 18.
A pump with a 400 mm diameter suction pipe and a 350 mm diameter discharge pipe is to deliver 20,000 liters
per minute of water. Calculate the pump head in meters if suction gage reads 127 mm Hg vacuum and discharge
gage reads 75 KPa.

Q = 20,000 li / min = 0.33 m3/s

VS = Q / AS = 0.33 / 0.7854(0.4)2 = 2.63 m/s
VD = Q / Ad = 0.33 / 0.7854(0.35)2 = 3.43 m/s

Hd = Pd / ᵧ + Vd2 /2g + Z
= [75 / 9.81] + 3.432 /2(9.81) + 0
= 7.645 + 0.6
= 8.24m

HS = PS / ᵧ + VS2 /2g + Z
= [- 16.93 / 9.81] + 2.632 /2(9.81) + 0
= - 1.726 + 0.353
= - 1.373m

TDH = HD – HS = 8.24 – (- 1.373) = 9.613m