Efficiency In Mechanical Drive Steam Turbines

Abstract

With cost of energy in the $2.00 per 10^6 BTU range throughout the Western Industrialized World, the current value of one horsepower over a five-year period is in excess of $600. This high energy valuation is of relatively recent origin. Historically, initial cost has been the major purchase determinant in mechanical drive steam turbines for the process industries. In lifetime cost, the cost of energy (operating cost) was not a major factor and thus was largely neglected in evaluating the competitive products offered. In recent times the cost of energy has become the major determinant of lifetime cost and progressive users are evaluating equipment offerings using present value techniques.