OPTIMAL UNIT SELECTION IN A COMBINED HEAT AND POWER STATION

The immediate strategic problem of power station operation concerns the adjustment of the continuous operating variables to meet the energy demands at minimum cost. Superimposed upon this is the background task of identifying that selection of equipment which can reduce this cost even further. The paper describes a dual system which addresses both of these problems and which is operational at ICI's Wilton power station on Teesside. Some difficulties experienced with equipment selection are discussed together with the ways that they have been overcome in practice.