Systematic investigation on circulating water system of the 12 MW condensing steam turbine generator group for a waste incineration power plant was conducted.A decision criterion

the improved comprehensive cost fuel consumption rate method

was proposed for the system optimization

and compared with the optimum vacuum based circulating water system optimization method and the maximum profit method considering cooling water price.The most economical operation mode of circulating water pumps under different unit loads and variable inlet circulating water temperatures was determined.Furthermore

the optimal operation charts of the circulating water pumps were worked out.It shows that

results obtained by the improved comprehensive cost fuel consumption rate method are superior to the other two methods

so this method can be adopted to realize the plant's economical operation.