Convert steam balances into dollar balances

In the first article of the series the cost of steam at various pressure levels was given, assuming that the steam was extracted from extraction-condensing turbines. This article expands the scope and addresses itself to other steam systems more typical of processing units in which lower pressure (LP) steams are not generated exclusively from extraction-condensing turbines, but also from other components normally encountered in steam systems, such as backpressure turbines, flash drums and letdown stations. It is shown how such a steam balance can be converted into a meaningful dollar balance. Steam balances converted into monetary steam balances reflect the incremental operating costs. Besides being an indispensable tool for energy management, they deserve a prominent display in the control room. Monetary steam balances will also be instrumental in devising operation strategies that are responsive to fluctuating market prices of fuel and electric power. Such a strategy is directed to minimizing operating costs. In general, one will endeavor to operate the steam.