1995 Catalog Data: 14:650:462 Power Plants (3)

Prerequisite:  14:650:351

Current theory and practice of cycles and design of equipment for the generation of power in central stations and industrial power plants. Design projects.

Textbook:    Power Plant Technology, M. Elwakil, McGraw Hill, 1984

References: Power Plant System Design, K.W. Li and P. Priddy, Wiley

Coordinator: Rashad Elbeshbeshy, Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Goals:

The objective of the course is to introduce the student to the basic elements of electric-generating power plant technology and engineering, with a balance between the analytical and technological aspects of power plant design.

Topics:

1. Introduction, review of first and second law of thermodynamics for closed and open systems, the concept of entropy and reversibility, Carnot cycle. (1)
2. The Rankine cycle, cycle efficiency, external and internal irreversibilities, ways to improve efficiency. (2)
3. Superheating, reheat, regeneration, choice of feedwater heaters, cogeneration. (1)
4. Fossil-fuel system generators, water tube boilers, steam drums, superheaters and reheatears, economizers, fans and stack design, steam generator control. (1)
5. Fuels and combustion, types of fuels, choice of a fuel, firing equipments for solid, liquid and gas fuels, analysis of the combustion process and heating values. (2)
6. Turbo-machinery basics, turbine and pumps, inputs and reaction type turbines, turbine losses and efficiencies. (2)
7. Feedwater systems, types of condensers, surface condenser calculations, boiler makeup and treatment. (1)
8. Cooling towers, wet and dry cooling towers design and analysis. (1)
9. Gas cycles, the need for gas cycles, ideal Brayton cycle calculations, non-ideal Brayton cycle analysis. (1)
10. Principles of nuclear energy, boiling water reactor and pressurized water reactors. (1)
11. Non conventional power generating plants, geothermal, solar and wind energy, energy storage. (1)
12. Mid term and final exams.

Homework: Usually seven to eight homeworks are assigned.

Design Projects:

Two design projects are discussed and interactively approached. In the first, students are required to design a rankine cycle operating at 2400 psi and 1000/1000°F with a condenser pressure of 1 psi. Station output is 700 MW. System evaluation and cost analysis of feedwater heaters. In the second project, students are required to analyze a surface condenser for the above station, material selection and cost evaluation.

ABET category content as estimated by faculty member who prepared the course description:

Engineering Science: 1.5 credits or 50%

Engineering Design: 1.5 credits or 50%