Q. Does Black & Veatch own the Vista program?
Q. Who is in charge of the Vista program at Black & Veatch
Q. Who is in charge of the Vista program at EPRI?
Q. What does the Vista User Group do?
Q. How many computers can we install Vista on?
Q. Can we install Vista on a network?
Q. How else may we use Vista remotely or collaboratively?
Q. Can we install Vista on laptops?
Q. Are we allowed to model a competitor’s units?
Q. Can we see the source code of the Vista program?
Q. Is the Vista program and documentation available in other languages besides English?
Q. Can the Vista results be viewed in languages other than English?
Q. Can we use a different database?
Q. How does Vista model boilers?
Q. Does the Vista program use finite element analysis or computational fluid dynamics?
Q. How accurate is the Vista program?
Q. What are some weaknesses of the Vista program?
Q. How are electrostatic precipitators modeled?
Q. Does the Vista program have experience with petroleum coke?

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Does Black & Veatch own the Vista program?

A. No. The Vista program is owned by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Black & Veatch is the developer, primary contractor, and primary licensor of the Vista program.

Q. Who is in charge of the Vista program at Black & Veatch

A. Una Nowling is the manager of the Vista program, and she is also the Project Manager of this effort. She can be reached at nowlinguc@bv.com or (913-458-9745).

Q. Who is in charge of the Vista program at EPRI?

A. Cassie Shaban is the manager of the Vista program for EPRI. She can be reached at cshaban@epri.com or (650-855-2345).

Q. What does the Vista User Group do?

A. The Vista User group is made up of the companies which use the Vista program and support it by paying annual dues to fund improvements and technical enhancements to the Vista program. Members of the Vista User Group receive all program upgrades and enhancements. User Group Members are able to suggest technical enhancements to the Vista program which will be voted on at the annual Vista User Group meeting. Furthermore, User Group Members receive Black & Veatch support as part of being a member of the Vista User Group.

Q. How many computers can we install Vista on?

A. As many as you like! However, unless you install Vista on a network, each user will have different data sets when they add fuels or change evaluations. We recommend that one person in each member company be the Vista Expert, be in charge of the master copy of the models, and be in charge of performing official or otherwise important Vista evaluations.

Q. Can we install Vista on a network?

A. Yes, but that is an advanced use of the program and requires that we work with your IT personnel for installation. There may be an additional fee if significant labor is needed for a network installation.

Q. How else may we use Vista remotely or collaboratively?

A. The Vista program can also be installed on a computer which allows Virtual Desktop, and used in that manner by many people – but only one at a time.

Q. Can we install Vista on laptops?

A. Yes, but the laptops must be property of your company, and not personal laptops.

Q. Are we allowed to model a competitor’s units?

A. No. Each company must have their own Vista license.

Q. Can we see the source code of the Vista program?

A. No. The intellectual property belongs to EPRI, and Black & Veatch is unable to share or distribute the source code.

Q. Is the Vista program and documentation available in other languages besides English?

A. No. There is not currently any other version of Vista than English and Polish. However, if there is sufficient interest in the Vista User Group, then we can consider making Vista or documentation available in another language. All documentation is distributed in Microsoft Word format, and Users of the Vista program are free to take these documents and perform the translation themselves.

Q. Can the Vista results be viewed in languages other than English?

A. Yes. Output templates may be easily changed by users, and can be re-arranged, translated, etc. entirely on your own.

Q. Can we use a different database?

A. This is possible, but would require effort. If you are interested in this, our database experts will be happy to discuss the details of this with your IT personnel.

Q. How does Vista model boilers?

A. The Vista program utilizes the Black & Veatch Integrated Plant Model (IPM) as its steam generator model. This program is a one-dimensional heat transfer calculator which models the radiation and convection heat transfer through the entire boiler. The IPM model of each unit is calibrated to certain boundary conditions which assist in improving the accuracy of the heat transfer calculations. Things which are taken into account include the fuel combustion, slag produced during combustion, reflectiveness of the slag, gas volumetric and mass flow, etc.

Q. Does the Vista program use finite element analysis or computational fluid dynamics?

A. No. The Vista program was designed to assist companies with fuel decisions while remaining accessible. The Vista program tends to provide 90% of the answer of a more detailed model at 10% of the effort.

Q. How accurate is the Vista program?

A. With well-calibrated units and accurate fuel quality data, the fuel burn rate is expected to be within +/- 1-2% of actual. Other performance parameters are generally within +/- 3-5% of actual values. It must be noted that when Vista performance is compared to test results that all performance setpoints and fuel quality data must be entered accurately to achieve the best results.

Q. What are some weaknesses of the Vista program?

A. Black & Veatch recognizes that no simulation program can model all of the factors involved with a real coal-fired power station. The following are situations where the Vista program has more difficulty making accurate predictions.

• Units which see very wide swings in unit load through the day, or which rarely operate at full load.
• Units where the coal quality continuously varies.
• Units where operations setpoints constantly change (such as excess O2 moving from 2% to 4% at full load).
• Units which have severe stratification of air and/or gas flow through equipment.
• Units which have severe stratification of fuel and air in the furnace.
• Twin furnaces where one furnace controls reheat temperatures and a separate furnace controls main steam temperatures.
• Units which suffer from high levels of slagging or fouling due to bad or out of service sootblowing equipment.

Q. How are electrostatic precipitators modeled?

A. Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) are modeled by calculating the ash resistivity of ash particles by three different methods. This ash resistivity is then examined along with differences in gas velocity, ash mass loading, ash temperature, moisture in the flue gas, SO3 levels in the flue gas, and other items to determine the removal efficiency of the ESP. The Vista ESP model can simulate SO3 and ammonia injection, and can also account for fly ash resistivity changes due to high levels of unburned carbon.

Q. Does the Vista program have experience with petroleum coke?

A. Yes, the Vista program has been used with petroleum coke studies in America and Europe. For full functionality, you must be certain to select the fuel type of a fuel as “petroleum coke.” Vista will then use some different combustion and unburned carbon model calculations.