What is the current feasibility and cost-effectiveness of replacing turbines used to drive refinery units with electric motors?
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What is the current feasibility and cost-effectiveness of replacing turbines used to drive refinery units with electric motors?
Most of the steam used in turbines is generated by the system itself, representing direct use of energy and therefore being the most economical option. If switching to electric drive, the initial investment in equipment is a major issue. It is better to stick to the original design as it is. Additionally, it is simply a comparison between the cost of steam consumed by the turbine and the price associated with the motor power parameters. For reference.
This must be quite complex, requiring technical and economic analysis.
When the generator sets in your local power plants stop using turbines, that will mean it’s feasible. Power plants have plenty of electricity; they use turbines for it. Do you think that’s feasible? The steam is reused; only a small portion of it condenses into water to be sold. Do you think the water used in bathhouses is heated by electricity every day? It’s mostly water resulting from the condensation of steam. Part of it is used in the equipment for heat tracing, and can also be sold to factories in the vicinity that lack boilers and need steam. The remaining part is cooled by a cooling tower to produce tap water for use, or it can be fed back into a boiler to be converted back into steam, allowing for repeated use – this is the most cost-effective solution.
The electricity prices for some new energy sources are already lower than those of coal-fired power plants
These days, coal prices are volatile and remain high; our company has switched from turbine-driven systems to electric drives
Under normal circumstances, chemical plants take into account the overall energy balance of the plant from the initial design stage, making comprehensive use of any excess steam. If steam turbines are replaced with electric motors, it is possible to undermine the original design intent, preventing effective energy balance and resulting in higher energy waste
From a safety perspective, large-scale equipment in refineries is still driven by steam turbines, as electric motors cannot guarantee uninterrupted operation.
Most changes to the motor are made with energy consumption in mind; using electricity results in lower energy consumption compared to steam. If there are specific requirements regarding energy consumption, such changes are not recommended.
The first thing to consider is the overall process steam balance issue
It depends on the size of your compressor – are electricity costs lower or fuel costs lower?