Report of Indian Institute of Public Administration ... - Ministry of Power

Maharashtra
to undergo this exercise in 2006-07. Washed coal is being used in Koradi,
Khaperkheda and Chandrapur and imported coal is being used for blending with
indigenous coal for use in Nasik and Bhusawal.
The above measures have contributed in reducing the hours lost on account of forced
outages. The performance parameters have suffered a significant adverse impact in
2005-06 (and will also suffer in 2006-07) due to damage of turbine blades of
Chandrapur Unit No. 5 (500 MW), which has been out of service since July 2005 and
was expected to be back after repairs only in November 2006.
Monitoring of Plant Heat Rate
In the absence of instrumentation to monitor the heat rate in an on line mode, all
computations in respect of heat rate tend to be approximate and are based on the
yearly coal consumption, total calorific value based on measurements of various
quantities of coal received in lots from time to time and total energy generated by
thermal units. By very nature of this method of computation, the number arrived at,
could only be indicative. Further, it does not provide any opportunity to the plant
operator to take any timely corrective action during operation to improve performance
of the machine.
To improve this situation, MAHAGENCO is considering implementing a novel pilot
scheme for a 210 MW machine. The company has identified some 9 to 10 operating
parameters of the machine, which if maintained in a narrow band of variation during
operation, ensure efficient operation of the machine. It is proposed to input accurate
and high-resolution measurement of these selected parameters during operation of the
machine to a dedicated computer in a real time mode. This dedicated computer placed
with the shift in-charge, will continuously calculate instantaneous efficiency of the
machine as well as invite attention of engineer-in-charge of the shift, in case any of
the monitored operating parameters crosses the close range set for it. This will enable
the operator to take immediate corrective action. At the end of a shift, an integrated
number representing the efficiency at which the plant was operated in that shift will be
available. With this arrangement in place, the plant in-charge will be in a position to
take timely corrective actions to ensure that the plant always operates at optimum
efficiency. This arrangement, if successful, will be replicated for other machines as
well.
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