The Rewards of Pump System Optimization

摘要

Typically, when talk turns to power plant pumps, boiler feed and cooling water pumps immediately dominate the discussion. And that's as it should be: these pumps are critical to a plant's thermal efficiency and availability. They are also the most costly to produce, operate and maintain, so optimizing their efficiency is imperative. However, in terms of reliability and profitability for the entire plant, it is also prudent (and economically rewarding) to optimize pump system performance throughout the entire station. The process of identifying, understanding and effectively eliminating unnecessary losses while reducing energy consumption, improving reliability and minimizing cost of ownership over the economic life of the pumping system is commonly referred to as systems optimization. This philosophy of asset management as promulgated jointly by Europump and the Hydraulic Institute is based on the principles and rewards of life cycle cost programs.