Benchmarking the fuel cost of steam generation, in dollars per 1,000 pounds ($/1,000 lb) of steam, is an effective way to assess the efficiency of your steam system. This cost is dependent upon fuel type, unit fuel cost, boiler efficiency, feedwater temperature, and steam pressure. This calculation provides a good first approximation for the cost of generating steam and serves as a tracking device to allow for boiler performance monitoring. Table 1 shows the heat input required to produce 1 lb of saturated steam at different operating pressures and varying feedwater temperatures. Table 2 lists the typical energy content and boiler combustion efficiency for several common fuels. Data from the tables above can be used to determine the cost of usable heat from a boiler or other combustion unit. The calculations can also include the operating costs of accessories such as feedwater pumps, fans, fuel heaters, steam for fuel atomizers and soot blowing, treatment chemicals, and environmental and maintenance costs. Example A boiler fired with natural gas costing $8.00/MMBtu produces 450-pounds-per-square-inch-gauge (psig) saturated steam and is supplied with 230°F feedwater. Using values from the tables, calculate the fuel cost of producing steam.

• Steam Cost = ($8.00/MMBtu/10⁶ Btu/MMBtu) x 1,000 lb x 1,006 (Btu/lb)/0.857 = $9.39/1,000 lb

Effective Cost of Steam The effective cost of steam depends on the path it follows from the boiler to the point of use. Take a systems approach and consider the entire boiler island, including effect of blowdown, parasitic steam consumption, and deaeration. Further complications arise because of the effects of process steam loads at different pressures, multiple boilers, and waste heat recovery systems. To determine the effective cost of steam, use a combined heat and power simulation model that includes all the significant effects. Multi-Fuel Capability For multi-fuel capability boilers, take advantage of the volatility in fuel prices by periodically analyzing the steam generation cost, and use the fuel that provides the lowest steam generation cost. Higher Versus Lower Heating Values Fuel is sold based on its gross or higher heating value (HHV). If, at the end of the combustion process, water remains in the form of vapor, the HHV must be reduced by the latent heat of vaporization of water. This reduced value is known as the lower heating value (LHV). This tip is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and originally published by the Industrial Energy Extension Service of Georgia Tech.For suggested actions and resources, click to download the complete US Department of Energy Tip Sheet.