Title: Exergoeconomic optimisation of steam power plant

Authors: V.K. Matawala; P. Prabhakaran

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVM Institute of Technology, Bharuch 392001, Gujarat, India. ' Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The MS University of Baroda, Vadodara 390001, Gujarat, India

Abstract: The second law of thermodynamics combined with economics forms a powerful tool for systematic analysis and assessment of energy systems. This paper presents an exergoeconomic optimisation of 50 MW steam turbine power plant associated with a large fertiliser industrial unit through Thermoeconomic Evaluation and Optimisation (TEO) method, and identifies the losses in various components. As the industrial unit also operates aqua ammonia Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system (VAR) for its low temperature applications, the economy of the source of heat energy to VAR is also checked. For this, the cost of the part of bled steam at an appropriate tapping from the steam turbine originally meant for feed water heating proposed to be utilised as a heat source for VAR system is compared with the existing one. It is found that the use of heat source from bled steam is more economical than that generated in independent boiler or steam generated at HRSG of gas turbine power plant.

Keywords: energy systems; exergy; steam power plants; second law; thermodynamics; exergoeconomic optimisation; steam turbines; fertilisers; thermoeconomic evaluation; aqua ammonia VAR; vapour absorption refrigeration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2012.045866

International Journal of Exergy, 2012 Vol.10 No.2, pp.209 - 227

Received: 29 Dec 2010
Accepted: 05 Aug 2011

Published online: 15 Mar 2012 *

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