Multi-objective mechanical system design of a 350 MW coal Fired

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering) -- University of Rizal System-Morong.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The Philippine economy is one of the fastest growing economy in Asia in the past few years and with that, it leads to a higher demand in energy especially in electricity. Philippine supply of electricity is getting thinner and thinner although the utilization of renewable energy in the country is now being introduced. The solution that the government made was still to rely on coal fired power plants due to its steady supply and also, since there is an abundant reserve of coal in the Philippines. Coal fired thermal power plants are the steady supplier of electricity in the Philippines but unfortunately, most of the said power plants are getting old and needs to be rehabilitated. Due to their age, many power plants need to be forced shut down due to equipment failures resulting to lower power plant mechanical system rehabilitated. The study focused on the theoretical aspect of mechanical reliability and boilers efficiency in each stage such as the selection of components, the different factors that affect the components and the design configuration and limited to the different losses, material properties and cost of labor and maintenance. The researchers ran a simulation through grid search algorithm that help them achieving the perfect equipment combination that lead to maximum ranges of boilers efficiency and system reliability but still not beyond the budget limit. After extensive researchers and simulations, the authors came up with the simulated optimum ranges for the mechanical system reliability of a 350 MW coal fired power plant that is equivalent to 5% and increased up to 47% as of the reference thermal power plant with the age of 36 years, proven that this mechanical system configuration can provide a steadier and more reliable power plant for continues supply of electricity. In order to maximize the boilers efficiency, the authors recommend to increase the number of the boilers auxiliaries or the equipment that help the most in converting feed water into the state of being steam. And for the maximization of mechanical system reliability, they recommend to increase the equipment that are connected in parallel connections in each stages of the power generation process.