The document discusses the choice between an air cooled condenser (ACC) and a wet surface air condenser (WSAC) for use in the cooling section of a steam Rankine power generation cycle. A WSAC generates more power than an ACC but requires makeup water, while an ACC does not use water. The economics of each option are evaluated by comparing the value of additional power generated by a WSAC to the cost of the required makeup water. Key factors influencing the choice such as thermodynamics, performance, economics, and project development considerations are reviewed.

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Valuing Water in Rankine Cycle Power Generation
Suresh Jambunathan,
Director of Business Development
Veolia North America
Cell: 630-335-4544
E-mail: Suresh.Jambunathan@veolia.com
March 4th, 2016
Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)
10 W. 33rd St; Herman Hall
Chicago, IL 60616

2. March 4, 2016 | 2
Learning Outcomes & today’s Agenda
• Optimize lifecycle value by carefully contemplating the cooling section of a Steam Rankine power
generation cycle.
• Choose between Air Cooled Condensers and a Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC) by comparing the
cost of water versus the value of incremental power generated with a WSAC.
AGENDA
• Introduction to Veolia
• ACC Vs. WSAC :
• Fundamental thermodynamics
• Performance
Economics
• Project Development

3. March 4, 2016 | 2
Learning Outcomes & today’s Agenda
• Optimize lifecycle value by carefully contemplating the cooling section of a Steam Rankine power
generation cycle.
• Choose between Air Cooled Condensers and a Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC) by comparing the
cost of water versus the value of incremental power generated with a WSAC.
AGENDA
• Introduction to Veolia
• ACC Vs. WSAC :
• Fundamental thermodynamics
• Performance
Economics
• Project Development

4. March 4, 2016 | 2
Learning Outcomes & today’s Agenda
• Optimize lifecycle value by carefully contemplating the cooling section of a Steam Rankine power
generation cycle.
• Choose between Air Cooled Condensers and a Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC) by comparing the
cost of water versus the value of incremental power generated with a WSAC.
AGENDA
• Introduction to Veolia
• ACC Vs. WSAC :
• Fundamental thermodynamics
• Performance
Economics
• Project Development

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Selected headlines
• Global warming is a problem …. Unless you live above the Arctic Circle.
• Hotter & drier weather with more intense rainfall
• Impact of water used in thermo-electric power generation ?
• “Clean” versus “dirty” power

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Basics: Steam Rankine cycle is proven power generation technology
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/upasana_panigrahi/thermodynamics-of-power-plant
Choice of condenser? Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) or Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC)

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Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) vs. Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC)
http://www.niagarablower.com
PARAMETER ACC WSAC
Turbine Power Less More
Cooling Water No Yes
Footprint 4X X
Parasitic power 3X X
Weight 3X X
Installed CapEx higher lower
ACC WSAC

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Air Cooled Condenser (ACC) vs. Wet Surface Air Condenser (WSAC)
ACC
Thermodynamics
WSAC
PARAMETER ACC WSAC
Cooling
water?
No Yes
Exit air
Humidity
Unchanged Increased
Steam
temperature
approaches
Dry bulb
temp
Wet bulb
temp
Exhaust
steam
pressure
Higher Lower
Vacuum Weaker Stronger
Power Lower Higher

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ACC vs. WSAC: condenser vacuum impacts power generated
PARAMETER UNIT VALUE COMMENT PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
Dry bulb temp, Tdb F 100 OK PARAMETER UNIT ACC WSAC
Wet bulb temp, Tw b F 50 OK STG: Power MW 9.1 11.2
Air: Approach to Tdb F 40 ACC only Parasitic Power MW (0.5) (0.2)
CW: Approach to Tw b F 10 WSAC System: Net Power MW 8.6 11.0
STG: Inlet throttle steam
Flow Kpph 100 Make-up water, M gpm - 217
psig 750 513 F, Tsat ∆T or LMTD F 18 10
Temperature F 750 OK
Isentropic Eff; ήisen % 75%
Gear-Gen Eff; ήgear-gen % 95% typical

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Power (ACC vs. WSAC) tracks Bulb temperature (dry vs. wet) difference

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WSAC: more power, but needs make-up water to vaporize away heat

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Economics: simplified assumptions: sensitivities
INPUT UNIT VALUE COMMENT OUTPUT UNIT VALUE
Cost of water $/Kgal $3 assumed Value of power $/yr $703,230
Value of Power $/MWh $55 assumed less Cost of water $/yr $286,382
Operational gain / loss $/yr $416,848
System availability % 95% assumed Make-up water MMGpy 95.5
Incremental electricity MWh/yr 12,786

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Economics: Operational net zero: value of power cancels cost of water
ACC operationally profitable above the line
WSAC operationally profitable below the line
INPUT UNIT VALUE COMMENT OUTPUT UNIT VALUE
Cost of water $/Kgal $3 assumed Value of power $/yr $703,230
Value of Power $/MWh $55 assumed less Cost of water $/yr $286,382
Operational gain / loss $/yr $416,848
System availability % 95% assumed Make-up water MMGpy 95.5
Incremental electricity MWh/yr 12,786

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Project development: common sense and diligence
1. Set objectives & gather data
2. Conceptualize alternate configurations: technical & economic appraisal
3. Project development
Technical: Configuration, engineering, procurement, construction
Legal: Structure of contracting entities (LLC, S or C Corp etc…)
Commercial: Contracts for fuel, power, O&M, grants & incentives
Environmental: Permits
Financial: Financial models, equity & debt
Risks & Mitigants: Project Execution Plan (PEP)
We optimize utility services from “plain” O&M to full spectrum Design-Build-Own-Operate & Maintain.
We provide services spanning concept development (FEL1) to post-project (FEL5) Operations & Maintenance.

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Suresh Jambunathan,
Director of Business Development
Veolia North America
Cell: 630-335-4544
E-mail: Suresh.Jambunathan@veolia.com
Questions?