IMPROVED AVAILABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF LIGNITE BOILERS THROUGH OPTIMIZED OPERATION, PLANNED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND CONDITION BASED MAINTENANCE METHOD

摘要

Energy and electricity are and will remain powerful engines for economic development. The electric power generation in India has been increasing at a steady pace with main thrust being on thermal power generation. Coal/lignite based power stations are presently the main stay of power development in the country. The dominance of fossil - fired generation is likely to continue in the immediate future also, as thermal installed capacity of the country is expected to increase to the level of 1,40,000 MW by the year 2011-12. Due to rapid growth of the electricity demand, annual capacity additions have not been able to keep up with electricity demand, leading to a peak power shortage of 30% and frequent supply interruptions. Increase in capital and fuel costs calls for best efficiency in energy consumption, which means achieving best heat rate for generating stations apart from availability. Internationally successful power generating companies have understood the need to sustain and improve station heat rate in all aspects pertaining to operation and maintenance of large power plants with state of the art engineering and scientific method. Through this paper an insight is provided which gives various impact of practices followed in thermal power plants. A new power plant, which is designed, constructed and commissioned properly shall be able to operate at the plants declared power and heat rate as guaranteed. This is valid provided the plants are operated within the equipment operating limits and follow set O&M practices. Mistaken assumptions ultimately affect the power output and heat rate, which in turn reduces the revenue while increasing the expenditure of the power plant.