Boiler efficiency calculation from operating data: compute percentage efficiency. Data given: Feed water supplied = 205 kg/h Coal fired = 23 kg/h Net enthalpy rise per kg of water = 145 kJ/kg Calorific value of coal = 2050 kJ/kg Calculate the boiler efficiency (percentage).
Mechanical Engineering
Steam Boilers and Engines
Difficulty: Medium
Choose an option
-
A56%
-
B63%
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C74%
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D78%
Answer
Correct Answer: 63%
Explanation
Given
- Feedwater mass flow = 205 kg/h
- Coal firing rate = 23 kg/h
- Net enthalpy rise per kg water = 145 kJ/kg
- Coal calorific value (CV) = 2050 kJ/kg
ApproachBoiler efficiency = (Useful heat added to water per hour) / (Fuel energy input per hour).
Step-by-step Useful heat rate = (205 kg/h) × (145 kJ/kg) = 29,725 kJ/h Fuel heat input rate = (23 kg/h) × (2050 kJ/kg) = 47,150 kJ/h Efficiency = 29,725 / 47,150 = 0.6304 ≈ 63%
Common pitfalls
- Forgetting to multiply by the hourly mass flow before taking the ratio.
- Confusing equivalent evaporation with efficiency; efficiency always compares useful output energy to input fuel energy.
Final Answer63%