Jayson Aceron | Jayson Belen | Berleth Sanchez
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
This study focused on reducing the condenser pressure of Mak-Ban Geothermal Power Plant D in Bitin, Bay, Laguna. It covered the entire process from the preparation of the diagram of the condensate system up to the improvement of the gas extraction system.
The researchers found out that the turbine in the condenser was under rated; meaning the condenser pressure requirements could not be attained during peak hours of operation. The operation of centrifugal air compressor, specifically the supply of compressed air from the condenser to the gas extraction system, however, constituted a higher cost of maintenance and higher consumption of energy.
Based on the foregoing findings, the researchers recommended the installation of a centrifugal air compressor to the gas extraction system, in place of compressed air. If this would be implemented, it would provide the company a short payback period of 1.01 years and a return of investment of 98.67%.