Investigating the thermodynamics and economics of operating the thermal power plant under uncertain conditions

• Published in: Energy conversion and management 2013-11, Vol.75, p.325-335
• Main Authors: Al-Mutairi, Eid M., Odejobi, Oludare J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Energy; Energy Optimization; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat capacity flow rate; Installations for energy generation and conversion: thermal and electrical energy; Pinch analysis; Thermal power plant; Thermal power plants; Uncertainty
• ISSN: 0196-8904; 1879-2227
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2013.06.029

•Thermodynamic implications of variations of temperatures and flow rates.•Economic implications of variations of temperatures and flow rates.•Variation were allowed between certain values to test the merit of the study.•Mathematical model was used to ensure optimum heat exchanger network synthesis. The effects of variation of process streams’ temperatures and flowrates in an operating Natural Gas Fired Thermal Power Plant (NGFTPP) were investigated using Mathematical Modeling approach. The results showed that with an increase in supply temperatures, the total exchanger area increased from 85874.1m2 in the base case to 88255.8m2, heat input reduced from 528.1MW to 496.4MW, condenser duty increased from 284.4MW to 306.8MW, the cycle efficiency reduced from 46% to 38.2%. The reduction in inlet temperatures increased the area, heat input and efficiency to 92443.9m2, 543.9MW and 51.8%, respectively. The condenser duty reduced to 262.0MW. An increase in the flow rates increased the area, heat input, condenser duty to 90699.7m2, 530.1MW and 298.6MW, respectively. The cycle efficiency was 43.7%. Reduction in flow rates reduced the area, heat input and condenser duty to 81089.9m2, 506.1MW and 270.2MW, respectively. The cycle efficiency increased to 46.6%. The study concluded that any variation in the process streams parameters affects thermodynamics and economic performances of thermal power plant.