UI Steam Power

=Project Goal= Team UI Steam Power is looking to perform a feasibility study on the implementation of a co generation turbine at the University of Idaho Steam Plant. The turbine would use excess steam to create electricity for the grid.

=Team Members=
 * Tao Xing, Advisor
 * Scott Smith, Sponsor
 * Chris Anderson
 * Chad Dunkel
 * Ryan Oliver
 * Donald Haines

=Background=

The University of Idaho Steam Plant first started operating in 1940 with 1 original boiler. The steam plants main purpose is to provide steam for heating and cooling inside the buildings on campus. As the load got higher, 3 more boilers were installed on site to help maintain the constant pressure and flow needed for the campus. The primary boiler used today is the wood boiler. It was installed in 1985 and can run a flow rate of up to 60,000 lb/hr. The highest school load recorded was ~70,000 lb/hr, therefore the other 3 boilers are natural gas fueled and are used at load amounts that exceed the capacity of the wood boiler.

=Feasibility Analysis Specifications=
 * Electrical load profiling
 * Thermal load profiling
 * New utility rate structure analysis
 * Unit sizing
 * Thermal use determination/distribution system analysis
 * Installation cost estimates
 * Permitting impacts
 * Utility interconnection requirements
 * Financial calculations(simple payback, IRR, Cash Flow Diagrams)
 * Presentation of six design/construction models to client
 * Fully develop client design preference

=Current System Model= The Current System Model is broken up into 7 stages.
 * Boilers
 * Pressure Reducing Valves
 * Condenser(Campus)
 * Condensate Tank
 * Condensate Pumps
 * Dearator Tank
 * Feedwater Pumps

Using EES below shows the pressures and temperatures at each state in the system.

EES Modeling


The EES modeling main purpose is to be able predict the output conditions of the steam from the boiler by using the fuel and inlet conditions. After we are able to model the current campus system, we will be able to implement different turbine models and see if the steam plant can handle generating electricity while maintaining the demand for steam on campus.