Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs – 2012 power industrial technical proposal
The following are the examples that Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs organized for the effect on power consumption rate
1.Limescale buildup on condenser copper tube results in cold medium temperature rises 1℃, power consumption increases by 3%
2.Required cooling water is insufficient for condenser (<85%), power consumption increases by 3%
3.Power consumption increases by 2% when heat dissipation temperature of cooling tower rises 1℃
Effect of limescale on heat exchange rate and power consumption rate
|
Limescale affect power consumption |
|
Thickness of limescale (mm) |
Fuel consumption (%) |
Cooling capacity (%) |
Electrical power consumption (%) |
|
0.2mm |
Increase 6% |
Decrease 95% |
Increase 7~17% |
|
0.4mm |
Increase 15% |
Decrease 84% |
Increase 16~26% |
|
0.6mm |
Increase 25% |
Decrease 76% |
Increase 23~34% |
|
0.8mm |
Increase 32% |
Decrease 72% |
Increase 31~41% |
|
Reference: China Trchnical Consultants, Inc |
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Resource: China Technical Consultants, Inc.
|
Limescale affect heat exchange |
|
Thickness of limescale (mm) |
Heat exchange level (BTU/ft^2/F) |
Heat transfer consumption (%) |
Electrical power consumption |
|
0 |
92.77 |
0 |
0 |
|
0.3mm |
73.68 |
21% |
10% |
|
0.6mm |
61.12 |
34% |
20% |
|
0.9mm |
52.20 |
44% |
31% |
|
1.2mm |
45.60 |
56% |
42% |
|
1.6mm |
39.52 |
67% |
53% |
|
Reference: Phillip Kote Clean System Approach to Air Conditioning Heating Piping Air Conditioning Journal |
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Limescale thickness increases as cooling time goes on
PS: Above chart is default value. Limescale speed is based on actual environment.
Open cooling circuit: One-off limescale cleaning
Although regular limescale cleaning revives cooling performance temporarily, the complicated water circuit system causes different level of limescale depositing on tube wall. Once limescale can’t be removed, the cooling efficiency will become lower, contributing to high power consumption rate and breakage of metal tube as times by.
Closed cooling circuit: Restrict the rise in impurities concentration to prevent limescale
(Click here: Principle of closed circuit cooling tower)
