A. Supercritical Boiler :
- The steam generator in which steam is produced above critical pressure of 221.2 Bar are know as super critical boiler.
- It operates on Rankine cycle and drum less boiler.
- Usually , a sub-critical boiler consist of three distinct section an preheat (economiser), evaporator and super heater.
- The condensate water from the condenser is compressed from the condenser pressure to super critical pressure in the feed pump. The operation theoretically is shown by process 1-2.
- this water is heated at super critical pressure shown by process 2-3. It may be observed that water is in sub-cooled state at point 2. Its temperature goes on increasing with heat addition.
- No distinction is observed between the liquid and gaseous state.
- The liquid water become gas after its temperature is rise above critical temperature of 374.15 degree Celcius.
- thus it is a continuous tube which is heated along its length with water going in at one end super heated steam leaving at the other end.
- Due to large frictional resistance the feed pump pressure is about 40% higher then boiler pressure.
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- In a super charged boiler , the combustion is carried out under pressure in the combustion chamber by supplying the compressed air.
- The exhaust gases from the combustion chamber are used to run the gas turbine as they are exhaust to higher pressure.
- The gas turbine runs the air compressor to supply the compressed air to the combustion chamber.
- Followings are the advantage of the supercharged boiler :
a. Owing the very high overall heat transfer coefficient the heat transfer surface required to hardly 20-25% of the heat transfer surface of a conventional boiler.
b. The part of the gas turbine output can be used to drive other auxiliaries.
c. The small heat capacity storage of the boiler gives better response to control.
d. Rapid start of the boiler is possible.
e. The comparatively less number of operators is required.

