What Is APH In Power Plant?

What is APH in power plant?

APH stands for Air Preheater in the context of power plants. An Air Preheater is a device used in steam boilers to increase the temperature of the combustion air before it enters the furnace. It is a heat exchanger that recovers heat from the flue gases and uses it to preheat the incoming air from the atmosphere.

In a power plant, particularly in the boiler system, fuel is burned to produce heat, which is used to convert water into steam. The combustion process requires oxygen, which is supplied through the combustion air. By preheating this combustion air, the overall efficiency of the boiler system is improved. Here's how an Air Preheater works:

Flue Gas Passage: Hot flue gases from the combustion process pass through one side of the Air Preheater.

Air Passage: Ambient air from the atmosphere passes through the other side of the Air Preheater.

Heat Exchange: Heat from the hot flue gases is transferred to the incoming cold air without the two streams coming into direct contact. This process raises the temperature of the combustion air.

The preheated air, now at an elevated temperature, is then directed into the combustion chamber of the boiler. Preheating the combustion air reduces the amount of fuel required to raise the air temperature to the desired level for combustion. This results in fuel savings and improved boiler efficiency.

APHs are crucial components in power plants, industrial boilers, and other large-scale heating systems, as they contribute significantly to the overall energy efficiency of the system. By utilizing the waste heat from the flue gases, power plants can achieve better fuel utilization and reduce their environmental impact by lowering emissions.