[Trade Journal]
Publication: American Glass Review
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 46, no. 1, p. 16, col. 1-2
ELECTRICITY CHEAP AT WHITALL-TATUM
PLANT — TURBINE GENERATORS EFFECT SAVING
BY USING electricity, generated on the premises, instead of a number of small reciprocating engines, for driving plant equipment and for lighting, the Whitall-Tatum Company, manufacturers of druggists and chemists' glassware, shows, by a recent analysis, a new annual saving of [dollar: $10,429.42].
In 1920 the plant power was supplied by 22 small reciprocating engines and an investigation was made to determine a better method of drive. As a result, a 300-kilowatt turbine generator was installed in 1921, together with motors to handle the factory load. Six months later a second generating unit was installed for the purpose of using one prime mover as a spare, power being needed at all times.
The turbines are four stage, form B machines each rated 3600 r. p. m., 80 pounds pressure, and operated condensing. The generators are each rated at 375-k-va., 480 volts, 80 per cent. power factor. Both prime movers are of General Electric manufacture.
A recent analysis shows that the annual fixed cost of operating the two generating units is [dollar: $5,785.23], or [dollar: $15.85] per average day. When the cost of oil, steam, labor, etc., is added, the total cost per 24-hour is [dollar: $52.96], or a total cost per generator kilowatt-hour of [dollar: $0.327]. By comparing the coal consumption with that of the previous installation, a saving of 5.73 tons per day is shown, or [dollar: $11,294.10] per year. The daily saving in labor charges with the new equipment is [dollar: $5.37], or [dollar: $1,960.05] per year.
As against the present fixed cost of the turbine installation ([dollar: $5,785.23]), the old engines had a fixed cost of [dollar: $2,960.50]. Thus the present net fixed cost is [dollar: $2,824.73]. This figure, when subtracted from the total savings of coal and labor, shows a net saving of [dollar: $10,429.42] per year, or a net annual return on the investment in generating equipment of 23.2 per cent. It is estimated that the entire installation will pay for itself in 4-1/2 years.
