Title: Exergy analysis of a steam power plant at full and partial load conditions

Authors: Uchenna G. Azubuike; Linus C. Egbuhuzor; Howard O. Njoku; Onyemaechi V. Ekechukwu

Addresses: Sustainable Energy Engineering Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria ' Egbin Power PLC, Ijede, Lagos State, Nigeria ' Sustainable Energy Engineering Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka – 410001, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract: Exergy performances were investigated for a 220 MW gas-fired steam turbine power plant operating at full and partial loads. The analyses relied on full and partial plant load design data. Compared to other components, boiler exergy efficiencies, 42.8%, 42.5% and 41.8%, were the least at 100%, 75% and 50% loads, respectively. The condenser exergy efficiency was least (40.29%) at 25% load. Exergy efficiencies of high pressure heater 6 were the highest across all the loads. For the entire plant, overall exergy efficiencies increased from 28.29% at 25% load to 33.18% at 100% load.

Keywords: exergy analysis; exergy efficiency; exergy destruction; steam power plant; design load; operating loads; full load; partial load; off-design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2023.128784

International Journal of Exergy, 2023 Vol.40 No.2, pp.182 - 197

Received: 29 Oct 2021
Received in revised form: 20 Jun 2022
Accepted: 10 Jul 2022
Published online: 03 Feb 2023 *

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