Supercritical Technology

The term "supercritical" refers to main steam operating conditions, being above the critical
pressure of water (221.5 bar). The significance of the critical point is the difference in density
between steam and water. Above the critical pressure there is no distinction between steam and
water, i.e. above 221.5 bar, water is a fluid.



Supercritical steam cycle with one
reheat.

a b : Condensate cycle up to Deaerator

c : Boiler feed pump discharge

c d : Feed water heating

d e : Main steam generation

e f : Expansion in turbine

f g : Reheat steam generation

g h : Expansion in turbine


In supercritical cycle, equipment is designed to operate above the critical pressure of water.
Supercritical boilers are once-through where in the feedwater enters the economiser and flows
through one path and main steam exits the circuit. Typically current supercritical units operate at
242 bar main steam pressure, 565C main steam temperature and 593C reheat steam
temperature.

History


Supercritical technology has evolved over the past 30 years. Advancements in metallurgy and
design concepts have made supercritical technology units extremely reliable and highly
efficient. Modern supercritical technology is largely available in Japan and Europe for Boilers &
Turbines ranging upto 1000 MW.


Advantages of Modern Supercritical Technology

Higher Efficiency

Supercritical steam conditions improve the turbine cycle heat rate significantly over subcritical
steam conditions. The extent of improvement depends on the main steam and reheat steam
temperature for the given supercritical pressure. A typical supercritical cycle having turbine
throttle pressure of 242 bar with temperatures for main steam and reheat steam as 565C and

593C respectively, will improve station heat rate by more than 5%. This results in fuel
savings to the extent of 5%. Overall supercritical power plant efficiency of 42% is achievable
with current supercritical parameters.


Emissions

Improved heat rate results in 5% reduction in fuel consumption and hence 5% reduction in
CO2 emissions per MWh energy output. Typically for 800 MW supercritical unit the annual
reduction in CO2 emission will be about 725,000 tonnes of CO2 with respect to baseline
emission established by CEA for 2008 2009.

Supercritical technology based thermal power project is a potential candidate to avail the
benefits under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established by United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).



Operational Flexibility

Supercritical technology units also offer flexibility of plant operation such as:


Shorter start-up times


Faster load change flexibility and better temperature control


Better efficiency even at part load due to variable pressure operation and


High reliability and availability of power plant