Primary energy saving through preheating the air and water in a steam generation unit

Abstract

Objective. Determine the primary energy saving by preheating the air and water in a steam generation unit.

Material and methods. It is a non-experimental design research, with a descriptive level with a transversal cut, which includes a proposal for saving primary energy through economizers.

Results. It was determined that the preheating of the combustion air from an ambient temperature of 20 ° C to 54.22 ° C decreases the fuel consumption by 4. 74 gallons / hour which is considered as primary energy saving. In addition it was determined that the preheating of the feed water from 65 to 95 °C also decreases the fuel consumption of 9.75 gallons / hour.

Conclusion. The increase in the temperature of the combustion air and feed water reduces the use of primary energy, quantifying as fuel savings by 2.5 and 5.0%, respectively.