Title: Exergy optimisation of a Brayton cycle-based cogeneration plant

Authors: Xiaoli Hao, Guoqiang Zhang

Addresses: School of Energy and Safety Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan, Hunan 411201, PR China. ' College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, PR China

Abstract: An endoreversible Brayton cycle-based cogeneration plant has been optimised based on the dimensionless total exergy output rate criterion with a constraint on power-to-heat ratio. An optimal pressure ratio parameter and the maximum dimensionless total exergy output rate have been numerically determined. The optimisation results have been compared with those based on the total useful energy rate criterion. It shows that a cogeneration plant based on the maximum total exergy output rate criterion has higher total exergy output rate and smaller pressure ratio while lower exergy efficiency than that based on the maximum total useful energy rate criterion.

Keywords: cogeneration plant; exergy optimisation; dimensionless total exergy output rate; FTT; finite time thermodynamics; Brayton cycle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2009.023343

International Journal of Exergy, 2009 Vol.6 No.1, pp.34 - 48

Published online: 19 Feb 2009 *

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