A 161-mw cogeneration plant at U.S. steel, Gary works

摘要

Since 1926, the Gary works of U.S. Steel hasoperated a 60-Mw, 25-Hz electrical generating system, fueled byblast furnace and coke-oven gases. The system supplied processsteam and 16% of the mill's electrical needs.A plant-wide energy balance revealed that modern, high-efficiency equipment could take advantage of excess process gasesto produce up to 43% of the plant's electrical requirements.A 161-Mw, 60-Hz cogeneration system was installed togetherwith the rehabilitation and rerating of the existing steam generatingsystem from 250 to 650 psi. These facilities replaced the obsolete25-Hz generating system.To accomplish this project, U.S. Steel utilized a break-throughconcept in partnering by forging an alliance with primary energyInc., a NiSource subsidiary.Another unique aspect of this project was the financialarrangement with primary energy, which runded the tur-bine-generator portion of the project and retains ownership of thecogeneration facility. U.S. Steel is totally responsible for operationand maintenance. Full production was attained on Aug. 19,1997. Averageproduction has been in excess of 120 Mw.