Power plant life assessment

• US 7,689,515 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Energy Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Energy Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Bellows, James C., Shoemaker, Fred W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; John W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Clark; David J
• Application Number:
  US11/008,899
• Publication Number:
  US 20060129413A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,936 Days
• Field of Search: 738/65, 364/184, 364/492, 705/80, 705/412
• US Class Current: 705/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/04 Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem" market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities G06Q30/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 Electronic negotiation

Abstract

A method of evaluating a power plant having a design life based on operating the plant within an allowable chemical exposure range includes accumulating a history of a chemical exposure of a steam generating portion of the power plant. The method also includes determining a remaining life of the plant based on the history of the chemical exposure and assuming continued operation of the plant within the allowable chemical exposure range. The method may also include evaluating an economic value of operating the plant based on the remaining life of the plant.

Claims

1. A method of evaluating a power plant having a life based on operating the power plant within an allowable chemical exposure range, the method comprising:

identifying a projected future period of operation exceeding the allowable chemical exposure range of the power plant;

using power plant monitoring equipment, determining a remaining life of the power plant based on the period of operation exceeding the allowable chemical exposure range and assuming continued operation of the power plant within the allowable chemical exposure range;

comparing an economic gain achieved by operating the power plant with the projected future period of operation exceeding the allowable chemical exposure range with an economic loss resulting from the remaining life of the power plant being shorter than a design life of the power plant due to the projected future period of operation exceeding the allowable range using the power plant monitoring equipment; and

after said comparing, intentionally continuing operation of the power plant for the projected future period of operation upon determining that the economic gain achieved by operating the power plant with the projected future period of operation exceeding the allowable chemical exposure range is greater than an economic loss resulting from the remaining life of the power plant being shorter than a design life of the power plant due to the projected future period of operation exceeding the allowable range;

wherein the comparing comprises using formula (I) to determine the allowable chemical exposure range;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating an economic value further comprises including a factor selected from the group consisting of depreciation and a time value of money.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the power plant has a present current exposure exceeding the allowable range, and wherein the evaluating further comprises making a real time decision whether to continue to operate the power plant for the future period of operation exceeding the allowable chemical exposure range.