niaz
PDF THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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I have come across some comments about new coal power plants being set up in Pakistan which need clarification.
Firstly, if it is a part of the CPEC; nature and type of power plant has already been decided after consultation. It is water under the bridge and pointless to debate about it. Pakistan is short of power and any kind of power generation is better than “NO” power.
Secondly, don’t know much about the plant under discussion, but Sahiwal power plant cost $1.6-bilion for 1320 MW nameplate capacity that is about $1.21 –million per MW - normal cost of new coal power plant with electrostatic precipitators to remove carbon particles but without scrubbers. There will be no “smog” but lots of sulphur & nitrogen oxide emissions.
Additionally, Sahiwal plant utilises supercritical technology.
Critical point of water is 3,200 psi pressure and 374 deg C temperature. As water approaches its critical point, its “Latent heat of vaporization” becomes zero and water turns to steam without additional heating (Latent heat of vaporization of water is 2,260 kJ/kg under normal pressure). Supercritical boilers operate at pressure & temperature higher than critical point where efficiency of up to 45% can be achieved.
Even though Super Critical boilers were first invented by Mark Benson in 1922, their use in coal based power plant is recent. Commercial Benson / super critical boilers have come to general use from 2000 onwards.
Based on the above, it is safe to deduce that these plants are not second hand
Finally, why don’t honourable members understand that Thar Coal is not “Power Coal”.
Coal normally used for power generation has about 35 to 40% carbon content, around 10 % moisture with heat content of about 10,000 Btu per pound. Thar coal has 40% moisture, 20% carbon content and heat content of about 6,000 Btu per pound.Thar coal cannot be used unless it has been processed and dried for which we would have to wait until such time that Thar Coal project is fully operational.
Sahiwal power plant will need about 4.5-million tons of coal each year when both phases are in operation. How long wil it be before Thar coal production reaches this level? Should we go without power until then?
Firstly, if it is a part of the CPEC; nature and type of power plant has already been decided after consultation. It is water under the bridge and pointless to debate about it. Pakistan is short of power and any kind of power generation is better than “NO” power.
Secondly, don’t know much about the plant under discussion, but Sahiwal power plant cost $1.6-bilion for 1320 MW nameplate capacity that is about $1.21 –million per MW - normal cost of new coal power plant with electrostatic precipitators to remove carbon particles but without scrubbers. There will be no “smog” but lots of sulphur & nitrogen oxide emissions.
Additionally, Sahiwal plant utilises supercritical technology.
Critical point of water is 3,200 psi pressure and 374 deg C temperature. As water approaches its critical point, its “Latent heat of vaporization” becomes zero and water turns to steam without additional heating (Latent heat of vaporization of water is 2,260 kJ/kg under normal pressure). Supercritical boilers operate at pressure & temperature higher than critical point where efficiency of up to 45% can be achieved.
Even though Super Critical boilers were first invented by Mark Benson in 1922, their use in coal based power plant is recent. Commercial Benson / super critical boilers have come to general use from 2000 onwards.
Based on the above, it is safe to deduce that these plants are not second hand
Finally, why don’t honourable members understand that Thar Coal is not “Power Coal”.
Coal normally used for power generation has about 35 to 40% carbon content, around 10 % moisture with heat content of about 10,000 Btu per pound. Thar coal has 40% moisture, 20% carbon content and heat content of about 6,000 Btu per pound.Thar coal cannot be used unless it has been processed and dried for which we would have to wait until such time that Thar Coal project is fully operational.
Sahiwal power plant will need about 4.5-million tons of coal each year when both phases are in operation. How long wil it be before Thar coal production reaches this level? Should we go without power until then?
