Abstract: A power plant may include a combustion apparatus (11) producing an exhaust gas (12), an absorber (20) receiving the exhaust gas (12), the absorber (20) including a desiccant and producing a first stream of desiccant solution containing water and a first concentration of desiccant, and an apparatus (29, 70, 94) for dehydrating the first stream of desiccant solution while maintaining the water in a liquid phase. The apparatus (29, 70, 94) may include one or more reverse osmosis apparatus (30, 40) that receive the first stream of desiccant solution and produce a second stream of desiccant solution containing a second concentration of desiccant greater than the first concentration of desiccant. The apparatus (29, 70, 94) may include a heat exchanger (71, 110), a crystallizing heat exchanger (74, 96), a separator (78, 98) and a flash tank (112) for dehydrating the desiccant solution while maintaining water in a liquid phase and subsequently recovering water from the solution.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a power plant having a design life based on operating the plant within an allowable chemical exposure range includes accumulating a history of a chemical exposure of a steam generating portion of the power plant (e.g., 10). The method also includes determining a remaining life of the plant based on the history of the chemical exposure and assuming continued operation of the plant within the allowable chemical exposure range (e.g., 20). The method may also include evaluating an economic value of operating the plant based on the remaining life of the plant (e.g., 30).

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for efficiently venting impurities from a heat recovery steam generator system by concentrating the impurities in a condensing deaerating vent line 40 and then venting a proportionately small amount of steam with a proportionately high concentration of impurities. The condensing deaerating vent line 40 is attached to a low pressure drum 10, and feed water 54 may be added to the upper portion of the condensing deaerating vent line 40 to improve condensation and conserve thermal energy.