The Economic Effects of Condenser Backpressure on Heat Rate, Condensate Subcooling and Feedwater Dissolved Oxygen

Putman, R.E. & Harpster, J.W.
“The Economic Effects of Condenser Backpressure on Heat Rate, Condensate Subcooling and Feedwater Dissolved Oxygen”  ASME International Joint Power Generation Conference, Miami Beach, FL, July 23-26, 2000.

Abstract

Variations in condenser backpressure about design can impact the economic operation of a turbogenerator unit in terms not only of heat rate, but also of the cost of chemicals used to compensate for the dissolved oxygen concentration in the feedwater. These effects can be adjusted by changing condenser backpressure, this paper examining how the costs of these effects can be evaluated and suggests some approaches for the active control of backpressure.