Combined cycle power plants with ACC (Air Cooled Condensors)
Thermal Power plants like combined cycle power plants and waste incineration plants, generate heat. Steam turbines use the exhaust heat to make steam in order to produce electricity. An air cooled condenser (ACC) turns the steam back into liquid water so that it can be used again.It consists of finned tubes, sloped in a A-frame structure, where the steam is lead through. An axial ambient air stream outside removes the heat and so the condensation occurs. The condensation efficiency of the ACC can be boosted by pre-cooling this airflow. The temperature difference between the air, delivered by the axial fans, and the finned tubes together with the air mass flow rate, influences the ACC efficiency and thus the power plant. There is a number of ACC that have a potential better performance by improving the airflow. This begins by using a high quality fogging system and leading the airflow efficiently without disturbances like cross-winds.
Condenser diagram
The patented nozzles of the VDL UMID fogging system offer the highest reliability and operate with very little internal friction, unlike most, where the high pressure with impact must generate the microscopic drops required. This also allows the system to work with less pressure, which benefits the energy consumption.
Benefits VDL UMID system for air cooled condensers:
- low energy consumption of the pump units
- unique patented nozzles with a homogeneous drop distribution
- minimum water consumption
- up to more than 10ºC reduction of the cooling air in a hot, dry climate
- leakproof stainless steel 316 piping with low resistance
- project tailored delivery by VDL IP
- complete skid delivery
Further applications
Edwin Reijnen
