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Primary System Pumps include the high-pressure and high-flow pumps used for boiler feed, condensate extraction, and condenser cooling. In a typical power plant, these pumps may include flow capacities upwards of 100,000 gpm for cooling water circulation, and pressure ratings to 6,000 psi or more for boiler feed. Pumps in these applications are most commonly of the centrifugal type. Critical requirements of these pumps include high reliability, long service life, and serviceability. Prices for these pumps can range from a hundred thousand dollars to more than a million dollars.
The current trend in power generation is to use a more efficient type of boiler known as a super-critical boiler. Super-critical boilers operate at higher temperatures and pressures (3000 psi to 6,000 psi) compared to conventional sub-critical boilers (2,400 psi) in order to achieve improved efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These boilers require the utmost in feed water quality, and have placed added demands on boiler feed pumps in terms of pressure capabilities. They are an important development in the industry, and are specified for most new power plant construction.
Suppliers of pumps include Flowserve, ITT, KSB, Sulzer, Torishima, Weir Minerals, and others. |
