UI Steam Power

As an interdisciplinary engineering capstone senior design team our objective was to perform a feasibility analysis for implementing such a cogeneration system at the Steam Plant. We brought together the combined engineering knowledge from the fields of Bio-Agricultural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering. 
 
 
 
 
=Background=
The University of Idaho Steam Plant first started operating in 1940 with 1 original boiler. The steam plants main purpose is to provide steam for heating and cooling inside the buildings on campus. As the load got higher, 3 more boilers were installed on site to help maintain the constant pressure and flow needed for the campus. The primary boiler used today is the wood boiler. It was installed in 1985 and can run a flow rate of up to 60,000 lb/hr. The highest school load recorded was ~70,000 lb/hr, therefore the other 3 boilers are natural gas fueled and are used at load amounts that exceed the capacity of the wood boiler.
=Feasibility Analysis Specifications=
*Electrical load profiling
*Thermal load profiling
*New utility rate structure analysis
*Unit sizing
*Thermal use determination/distribution system analysis
*Installation cost estimates 
*Permitting impacts
*Utility interconnection requirements
*Financial calculations(simple payback, IRR, Cash Flow Diagrams)
*Presentation of six design/construction models to client
*Fully develop client design preference
=Current System Model=
The Current System Model is broken up into 7 stages.
*Boilers
*Pressure Reducing Valves
*Condenser(Campus)
*Condensate Tank
*Condensate Pumps
*Dearator Tank
*Feedwater Pumps
== Model Options ==
Turbine Model 	Description
Simple Turbine Model 	This Turbine option will consist of 1 turbine that runs alongside the current PRV's. It can operate at current system pressures and will generate from 1/2 - 1 MW
Two Turbine Model 	The first turbine will use steam directly out of the wood boiler with the second turbine down stream of the main header using steam from all boilers.
Plummer Model Non-Superheated	This Turbine will condense the steam after it flows through the turbine. It will require a condensing tank and cooling tower.
Plummer Model Superheated 	The same set up as the Plummer Model, but it includes super-heated steam.
Reheat Two Turbine 	This generation setup works by recirculating the super-heated steam after it goes through the first turbine back into the boiler and then into the second turbine.
Max Generation Model 	Includes two turbines, max pressure, super-heated, and reheat turbine system.
==EES Verification==
thumb|left|200px|EES T-s Diagram
thumb|right|250px|Table of Properties for T-s Diagram
The program Engineering Equation Solver (EES) is used to model the current steam system, and estimate boiler efficiency using inputs of steam generated and fuel usage. EES is further utilized in estimating the isentropic efficiency of several existing turbines at other universities. Finally, it will be used to predict predict power generation of both turbine system models. 
=Selected Models=
Below are the 2 models our client has chosen for us to model and continue looking into for the spring semester of 2014.
Model Diagram	Specifications	Methodolgy
 	Simple Turbine Model
The simple turbine model is bypassing the existing PRV's with a turbine. Inlet pressures would remain around 130 psi with a campus distribution pressure at 60 psi. For the spring semester, we will be conducting an economic analysis as well as implementation costs for this basic turbine package.	
 	Plummer Superheated Model
The Plummer Superheated model will be analyzed to see if it is a viable option for the University of Idaho. The Plummer Model is a condensing turbine that will require a condenser and cooling tower. It's pros are that it can generate a large amount of power but this comes at a higher need for fuel. Also, the steam in this system will require superheating to get max efficiency from our turbine. Superheating steam will require much more safety and preventative maintenance for the plant as well.	
=Team Members=
Picture	Bio 	Discipline
 	Chris Anderson	
My name is Chris Anderson and I am interested in the power side of electrical engineering. I grew up in the town of Athol. One morning I woke up and decided I could be an engineer, so I applied at the University of Idaho, got accepted, conquered three years, and now I'm almost there. A year ago I started working with the Industrial Assessment Center. It was this job that sparked my interest in energy engineering. Currently my goal is to become some form of energy efficiency evaluator, so this design project is a helpful step in that direction. That's everything there is to know about me.
Expected Graduation: May 2014	 	
Group photo of us inside the University of Idaho's Wood Boiler (Somewhat blurry but a great photo)
=Document Archive=
==Design Review Presentation==
==Team Minutes==