Industrial Power Problems

Abstract

Abstract In order to determine the best source of power for an industry, where there is a choice, it is generally advisable to consider the reliability of the source primarily and its cost only as a secondary matter. Fuel saving was formerly considered along with the cost of power, but must now be treated as one of the factors affecting reliability of power and from the broad economical standpoint of fuel conservation. It would generally be good policy to purchase power where this source is available, even if the cost is somewhat higher than would be the case with power produced by the industry, providing always that the purchased power is reliable. Many industries are confronted with situations where the determination of relative reliability and cost are somewhat complex. Such a situation occurs where an industry owns or could develop a water power or where there is a demand for low-pressure steam and hot water which could be obtained as a by-product from a steam-power plant operated by the industry or where the steam power from such a plant would be a by-product in the production of low-pressure steam and hot water. Other situations are combinations of water power with supplementary power of some kind, where there is no demand for low-pressure steam, or where a small water power is supplementary to other sources of power. In the latter case the problem usually is to make the best use of the water power. A number of fairly common situations have been defined in this paper and some approximate data are given to assist in the determination of relative reliability and cost in each case.