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Show SUMMARY Preliminary investigation indicated that an improved method of evaluating coals for use in specific TVA boilers is needed. Further investigation was begun, and a pilot-scale coal combustion test facility conceptual design was prepared for TVA by Battelle-Columbus Laboratories.(1) The conceptual design was then used as a basis for preparing capital cost estimates for a coal combustion test facility.(2) Background information, costs, and justification for the proposed coal combustion test facility are described in following sections of this paper. Two cases, base and alternate, were studied for their technical and economic feasibilities. The base case facility, as described in this paper, consists of all new equipment. The alternate case facility makes the maximum utilization of existing equipment, buildings, etc. The coal combustion equipment design in both cases is essentially the same. Net economic benefits from the proposed project's base case will return the capital investment in about 5 years assuming a high replacement energy forecast. Assuming a low replacement energy forecast, the breakeven of benefits with the invested capital, operating, and maintenance costs will be about 6 years. A maximum 5-percent reduction of the Cumberland Steam Plant units 1 and 2 forced outage rate (FOR) and equivalent FOR (unit derating) due to boiler deslagging (IEEE Code No. 8011) is assumed in the breakeven analysis. The 5-percent reduction represents a lessening of the FOR from 7.04 to 6.69 percent beginning in 1984. Maximum benefits are reached within about 6 years for the high forecast and 8 years for the low forecast at benefit-to-cost ratios of 3.4 and 2.5, respectively. A net savings of about $12,758,000 and $8,087,000 for high and low forecasts are expected. Cumberland units 1 and 2 were chosen as they are the largest plants in the system (1,300 MW's each); are base loaded; and have a long, known history of lost power generation due to boiler slagging. The net economic benefits from a pilot-scale combustion program will be greater as 4-2 |