USES OF AIR COOLED CONDENSER IN THERMOELECTRIC POWER PLANT OF BIOMASS

AN STUDY CASE

Abstract

The investment project of 25 thermoelectric plants (CTE) of biomass in Cuba with powers of 20 and 50 MW, as well as the proven lack of water for their cooling systems, point to the possible use of dry capacitor systems (ACC) in these plants. However, the increase in the initial project cost and the reduction in useful power associated with its use is a limitation to consider. To define the feasibility of ACC use in these projects, a case study is carried out in which several selection criteria for investment alternatives are considered. Also three other types of condensation technologies are evaluated in order to establish the investment and operation cost comparison, as well as the profits generated. In all cases, these analyzes were carried out for a 20-year horizon. The results obtained confirm the feasibility of using ACC systems, with a composed investment recovery period from 7.6 to 8.4 years, the IRR computes values between 18.2 to 23.8 percent. The NPV with an update rate of 15% reaches values between 10682.4 and 3 024 MUSD, Life cycle cost is between 10 682.4 and 24 406.1 MUSD. Level cost of energy fluctuates between 0.062 to 0.071 USD / kWh, with a cost-benefit ratio between 0.1 to 0.13