AGL Bayswater Power Station (formerly Macquarie Generation) is one of the largest power stations in New South Wales. During days of humid and very high summer temperatures, the power station could not maintain full load due to excessive plant temperatures resulting in revenue losses for the business.
Bayswater Power Station Case Study
HRL cools temperatures and increases revenues at Bayswater Power Station
Challenge
Solution
Bayswater Power Station needed a solution to reduce the exit temperatures from the boiler to below 150ºC, in order to maximise the life of the flue gas fabric system and prevent expensive damage whilst still maintaining full plant load. HRL determined that this would be possible if a suitable air cooling system could be deployed into the exit flue gas duct after the combustion chamber (boiler) and before the fabric filter gas clean up system.
Using a computer modelling software package, HRL developed a three-dimensional model of the exit gas dust flows and temperatures. HRL then designed and installed a computer-controlled optimal atomization of fine water jets to quench the gas, keeping it below 150ºC whilst the plant operated at full load.
This solution was then physically constructed and installed as a trial on one unit, and was proven to be successful at solving the problem. The solution was progressively rolled out across four units at Bayswater over several months, and integrated into the daily operations of the plant. It is now also used to manage the combustion of poor coal quality issues which can produce high flue gas duct temperatures, as well as providing flue gas temperature reductions on hot summer days.
Results
As a result of the installation, Bayswater Power Station can maintain full load operation on extreme days of summer temperatures. Generally, on days of extreme temperature, the pool price (dispatch price) is much higher and this enables the plant to be more flexible and competitive to achieve maximum revenue and profit outcomes. This has resulted in a significant economic gain, with the performance of HRL's Attemperating Spray System exceeding the expectations of both HRL and Bayswater Power Station.
