Applications
Steam power is utilised in a wide variety of practical applications. These applications are categorised based upon the following criteria:
- Type of fuel used in creating the steam
- Energy production
- Energy use
Here is a table detailing the various different applications which employ steam turbines in their industrial processes:
PLANT TYPE | DESCRIPTION | APPLICATION |
---|---|---|
![]() Co-generation (COGEN) |
Power is generated from steam created by by-product of industry. | Kernels from palm oil mills, bagasse from sugar mills, empty fruit bunches. |
![]() Combined Heat and Power (CHP) |
Steam is used for creating heat. Incidental power produced is sold to the grid. | Food processing, process industries, pharmaceuticals, chemicals. This is exclusively used for space and water heating, for purposes such as district heating. |
![]() Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) and Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) |
Used in systems with hot streams that have potential amounts of heat energy, such as hot flue gases. Can either be extracted for use in a co-generation plant or used to drive a steam turbine (combined cycle). | Gas engines and turbines, blast furnaces from metalworking plants, natural gas or Syngas plants. |
![]() Incidental Power generation from Incineration (INCR) |
During waste incineration, steam arises as a by-product and can be harvested for energy production. | Any incineration plant dealing with industrial, hazardous or solid wastes. This must be disposed of in a sanitary and safe manner in order to comply with the law. |
![]() Captive Power Plant (CPP) |
All steam is directed towards creating power, as in partial or complete captive consumption. Excess power is sold back to the grid. | Barge-mounted power plants (i.e. offshore IPPs) and biomass IPPs (coal-fired, wood-fired, rice husk or gasification plants). |
![]() Independent Power Producer (IPP) |
Commercial power consumption, for example in utility companies, off-grid power solutions or exporting to the grid. | Barge-mounted power plants (i.e. offshore IPPs) and biomass IPPs (coal-fired, wood-fired, rice husk or gasification plants). |
![]() Non-conventional Energy Sources (NCER) |
Using sources which are not traditional and could be renewable to generate steam power from their latent heat. | Geothermal power plants, solar thermal power plants. |