Eksergi: Jurnal Teknik Energi
Vol. 22 No. 01 (2026): JANUARY 2026

Industrial Boiler Performance Assessment Using Combined Heat Loss and Input–Output Efficiency Methods: A Pulverized Coal Power Plant Case Study

Surendra, Denny (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Jan 2026

Abstract

Reliable evaluation of boiler thermal performance is essential for improving fuel utilization and operational stability in coal-fired power plants. Although boiler efficiency is commonly assessed using either heat-loss diagnostics or input–output energy balance, few industrial studies integrate both approaches to interpret real operational behavior under steady conditions. This study presents an integrated thermodynamic and operational analysis of a large-scale pulverized coal boiler operating at a steam power plant in Jepara, Indonesia. Field operational data were obtained from the plant distributed control system during stable operation, and corresponding coal samples were laboratory-tested to determine the High Heating Value (HHV). Boiler efficiency was evaluated using both the indirect heat-loss method and the direct input–output method across seven representative datasets. The indirect analysis yields efficiencies of 88.48–89.95%, with dominant losses associated with dry flue gas sensible heat and hydrogen-related vapor formation. The direct evaluation produces efficiencies of 87.53–89.64%, confirming stable near-constant load operation with adaptive fuel control. The results indicate that efficiency variations are governed primarily by combustion stability and thermodynamic loss structure rather than fuel calorific value alone

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