Differential Modeling and Efficiency Testing of the Saint John’s University Cogeneration Power Plant
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2013
Disciplines
Physics
Abstract
Saint John’s University (SJU) and Saint John’s Abbey (SJA) of Collegeville, Minnesota own and operate a cogeneration power plant. The produced steam serves two purposes: electricity generation and provision of campus heat. The focus of this study was a natural gas boiler which is the most efficient and environmentally favorable boiler in operation. Data for this study were collected on November 8 & 9, 2012. This data set was analyzed using thermodynamic theory which ultimately led to the determination of the efficiency of each power plant process. The calculated efficiency values were applied to a unique set of differential equations which accurately described power plant operation. The overall efficiency of the Saint John’s University cogeneration power plant was determined to be 73.4 ± 3.6% which is notable in comparison to other cogeneration facilities. Electricity generation was determined to be the least efficient process of the power plant.
Recommended Citation
Kirchner, Richard J., "Differential Modeling and Efficiency Testing of the Saint John’s University Cogeneration Power Plant" (2013). Honors Theses, 1963-2015. 12.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/honors_theses/12
Comments
Approved by: Adam Whitten, Todd Johnson, Troy Knight, Dean Langley, Anthony Cunningham