Which parameter is often used to assess the performance of a power plant boiler?

Steam pressure is a critical parameter used to assess the performance of a power plant boiler because it directly impacts the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the steam generation process. In a boiler, steam pressure indicates the thermal energy being produced and the operational capacity of the boiler system. Higher steam pressures generally result in higher temperatures and increased thermodynamic efficiency, allowing for more effective power generation.

Monitoring steam pressure is essential for ensuring that the boiler operates within its designed limits, which helps minimize the risk of hazardous situations, such as overpressure conditions. Furthermore, steam pressure influences the energy transfer capabilities of steam turbines and other downstream equipment, making it a key performance indicator in the overall efficiency of a power plant.

The other parameters, while relevant in different contexts, do not provide a direct measure of boiler performance in the same manner as steam pressure does. For example, heat recovery rate pertains to the efficiency of recovering waste heat rather than the direct performance of the steam generation process. Water usage relates to operational efficiency but does not explicitly reflect the boiler's capability to generate steam effectively. Fuel type is important for determining energy content and combustion efficiency but does not provide an immediate measure of boiler performance.