Issues regarding operating costs of centrifugal compressors driven by electric power and steam
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Experts, could someone estimate how much the cost difference is between using electric drive and steam drive for a centrifugal compressor with a power capacity of 2000 kilowatts? The boiler is a coal-fired boiler; also, please provide information on the extent to which the turbine is affected by steam during normal operation and the probability of accidents. Thank you!
This post was last edited by space ★ Xuan on 2016-12-8 at 18:23. The information you’ve provided is insufficient; simply the power data alone isn’t enough for calculations. For electric drives, it’s simple: just multiply the shaft power by the local electricity price and by the number of hours the vehicle is used. Turbines are divided into back-pressure type and condensing type, and the operation of these two types of turbines is different; this also needs to be confirmed. The operating curve of the compressor and the surge zone, among other factors, influence the selection of the turbine, which in turn affects the gas consumption of the turbine. In large factories, the use of steam turbines for drive is due, on one hand, to low operating costs, on the other hand, to maintaining a proper steam balance throughout the factory, as well as for reasons related to stability. In large factories, the steam supply does not stop, so the impact resistance of turbines is much higher than that of motors. You said your boiler is coal-fired; what is the size of the steam pipeline network, and what is its buffering capacity? With such uncertain data, it is impossible to comment on which is better, the motor or the turbine. There is no absolute good or bad; the main thing to consider is which overall environment is more suitable for you.
Thank you, I’ll get in touch with you once I have specific figures!