Exergetic analysis of a desiccant cooling system: searching for performance improvement opportunities

The current increase of the energy consumption of buildings requires new approaches to solve economic, environmental and regulatory issues. Exergy methods are thermodynamic tools searching for sources of inefficiencies in energy conversion systems that the current energy techniques may not identify. Desiccant cooling systems (DCS) are equipments applied to dehumidifying and cooling air streams, which may provide reductions of primary energy demand relatively to conventional air‐conditioning units. In this study, a detailed thermodynamic analysis of open‐cycle DCS is presented. It aims to assess the overall energy and exergy performance of the plant and identify its most inefficient sub‐components, associated to higher sources of irreversibilities. The main limitations of the energy methods are highlighted, and the opportunities given by exergy approach for improving the system performance are properly identified. As case study, using a pre‐calibrated TRNSYS model, the overall energy and exergy efficiency of the plant were found as 32.2% and 11.8%, respectively, for a summer week in Mediterranean climate. The exergy efficiency defect identified the boiler (69.0%) and the chiller (12.3%) as the most inefficient components of the plant, so their replacement by high efficient systems is the most rational approach for improving its performance. As alternative heating system to the boiler, a set of different technologies and integration of renewables were proposed and evaluated applying the indicators: primary energy ratio (PER) and exergy efficiency. The heating system fuelled by wood was found as having the best primary energy performance (PER = 109.6%), although the related exergy efficiency is only 11.4%. The highest exergy performance option corresponds to heat pump technology with coefficient of performance (COP) = 4, having a PER of 50.6% and exergy efficiency of 28.2%. Additionally, the parametric analyses conducted for different operating conditions indicate that the overall irreversibility rate increases moderately for larger cooling effects and more significant for higher dehumidification rates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exergy analysis of a coal‐based 210 MW thermal power plant

In the present work, exergy analysis of a coal‐based thermal power plant is done using the design data from a 210 MW thermal power plant under operation in India. The entire plant cycle is split up into three zones for the analysis: (1) only the turbo‐generator with its inlets and outlets, (2) turbo‐generator, condenser, feed pumps and the regenerative heaters, (3) the entire cycle with boiler, turbo‐generator, condenser, feed pumps, regenerative heaters and the plant auxiliaries. It helps to find out the contributions of different parts of the plant towards exergy destruction. The exergy efficiency is calculated using the operating data from the plant at different conditions, viz. at different loads, different condenser pressures, with and without regenerative heaters and with different settings of the turbine governing. The load variation is studied with the data at 100, 75, 60 and 40% of full load. Effects of two different condenser pressures, i.e. 76 and 89 mmHg (abs.), are studied. Effect of regeneration on exergy efficiency is studied by successively removing the high pressure regenerative heaters out of operation. The turbine governing system has been kept at constant pressure and sliding pressure modes to study their effects. It is observed that the major source of irreversibility in the power cycle is the boiler, which contributes to an exergy destruction of the order of 60%. Part load operation increases the irreversibilities in the cycle and the effect is more pronounced with the reduction of the load. Increase in the condenser back pressure decreases the exergy efficiency. Successive withdrawal of the high pressure heaters show a gradual increment in the exergy efficiency for the control volume excluding the boiler, while a decrease in exergy efficiency when the whole plant including the boiler is considered. Keeping the main steam pressure before the turbine control valves in sliding mode improves the exergy efficiencies in case of part load operation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

发电厂管道火用损失的在线分析

本文利用火用分析方法建立了以易测参数表示的、可实现在线监测的发电厂管道各项火用损失的计算式。详细分析了影响管道损失的各种因素,指出能分析和火用分析的区别。并结合300MW机组的实际热力系统给出了计算实例。计算实例表明,再热蒸汽管道火用损失最大,这与能分析的结论是不同的。     

Energy–exergy analysis of 70‐MW gas turbine unit under the variable operation condition

Exergy and energy analyses were carried out in each component to study the effect of compression ratio, ambient temperature, and load on energy losses and exergy destruction. The highest exergy destruction occurred in the combustion chamber and the lowest exergy destruction occurred in the compressor. Also, the maximum thermal efficiency of the gas turbine unit and second law efficiency are 33.77% and 32.25%, respectively. The peak load of the selected power station is 65 MW. This study reveals possible areas of focus to improve performance of the power plant in the future.     

不同工质条件下污水源冷热水机组的性能分析

介绍污水源冷热水机组的工作原理及污水的特性,推导出了污水源冷热水机组在制冷和热泵工况下的各个设备的（火用）损失、整个机组的（火用）效率以及一次能源利用率的计算公式。分析比较不同工质条件下机组在夏季制冷和冬季制热工况时,整个机组的（火用）效率、机组COP值、一次能源利用率等,得出R407C是污水源热泵理想工质的结论。     

SECOND LAW ANALYSIS OF A SOLAR THERMAL POWER SYSTEM

This communication presents second law analysis based on exergy concept for a solar thermal power system. Basic energy and exergy analysis for the system components (viz. parabolic trough collector/receiver and Rankine heat engine etc.) are carried out for evaluating the energy and exergy losses as well as exergetic efficiency for typical solar thermal power system under given operating conditions. Relevant energy flow and exergy flow diagrams are drawn to show the various thermodynamic and thermal losses. It is found that the main energy loss takes place at the condenser of the heat engine part whereas the exergy analysis shows that the collector-receiver assembly is the part where the losses are maximum. The analysis and results can be used for evaluating the component irreversibilities which can also explain the deviation between the actual efficiency and ideal efficiency of solar thermal power system.     

污水源冷热水机组的热力学分析

阐述了污水源冷热水机组在制冷和热泵工况下的各个设备的火用损失及整个机组的的火用效率计算公式,计算分析了机组在夏季制冷和冬季制热工况下各个设备在不同污水温度下的火用损失系数及整个机组的火用效率。     

基于超临界CO2循环的地热与太阳能混合系统研究

超临界CO₂循环可以耦合较低温度的地热和较高温度的太阳能热组成混合热源发电系统。相比能量分析方法,火用分析方法更便于分析混合系统对提高能量利用率的作用,以及识别造成可用能损失的设备和过程。115℃地热和200℃地热分别与采用槽式聚光集热技术的太阳能热组成混合热源,构成简单回热超临界CO₂循环。分析结果表明：混合系统的火用效率比单纯太阳能热的循环系统提高了5% ~ 10%;太阳能聚光集热器的?损失最大,占80%以上,其次是除预冷器以外的各类换热器以及透平;相比之下,压缩机和预冷器的火用损失较小。减少?损失的关键是提高太阳能聚光集热器和换热器的性能,包括提高集热管运行温度,以及提高换热器效能。     

引进型300 MW循环流化床锅炉(火用)效率的分析

通过分析大型CFB锅炉(火用)效率的计算方法,建立了CFB锅炉炯损失的数学模型,对我国引进型300 MW CFB锅炉的(火用)损失和炯效率进行了计算,并与热量法的计算结果进行了比较.结果表明:(火用)方法比热量法更能全面地反映电站锅炉的各种损失以及产生的部位;锅炉(火用)效率远低于热效率的原因在于锅炉不仅存在外部损失,还存在大量的不可逆内部损失;锅炉主要外部损失仍为排烟热损失和机械不完全燃烧(火用)损失;从降低炉内平均温度与提高炉内水和蒸汽的平均温度两方面采取措施,可减少传热过程中的(火用)损失,提高锅炉效率.     

On the improvement of annual performance of solar thermal power plants through exergy management

Advancing in the learning curve of solar thermal power plants (STPP) requires detailed analysis for reducing exergy losses in the energy conversion chain. This requirement should be applied to any configuration proposed for the solar field and the power block. The aim of this work is to perform this type of analysis for two ways of structuring the power plant. The first plant structure consists of a subdivision of the solar collector field into specialized sectors with specific goals conveying different requirements in temperature. The second plant structure is based on a dual thermal energy storage system with a defined hierarchy in the storage temperature. The subdivision of the solar field into different sectors reduces the exergy losses in the heating process of the working fluid. Moreover, the average temperature of the heat transfer fluid in the solar field decreases when it is compared to the conventional solar field, reducing this way the exergy losses in the collectors. The dual thermal energy storage system is devised for keeping the exergy input to the power block at its nominal level for long periods of time, including post‐sunset hours. One of the storage systems gathers a fluid heated up to temperatures above the nominal value and the second one is the classical one. The combination of both allows the manager of the plant to keep the nominal operation of the plant for longer periods than in the case of classical system. Numerical simulations performed with validated models are the basis of the exergy analyses. The configurations are compared to a reference STPP in order to evaluate their worth. Furthermore, the behaviour of the configurations is analysed to study the irreversibility of the included devices. Special attention is paid to the storage systems, as they are a key issue in both plant structures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

富氧燃煤锅炉的效率分析

采用锅炉效率的分析方法对某电站300MW锅炉在O2/CO2气氛下的各项损失和锅炉效率进行了计算,并与相同条件的空气气氛下的各项损失和锅炉效率进行了比较。结果表明,采用O2/CO2的富氧燃烧技术可大大提高锅炉热效率,并相应提高锅炉的效率,而燃烧过程和传热过程的损失仍是锅炉的主要损失。     

带压缩空气储能的冷热电联产系统的

对一种带压缩空气储能的冷热电联产系统进行了热力学(火用)分析,得到了各主要部件和整个系统的(火用)损失及(火用)效率的变化规律.分析结果表明空气透平绝热效率的提高对系统(火用)效率的贡献大于压缩机效率同样提高的功效;在其它参数确定时,存在最佳压比,可使系统的(火用)效率在该条件下达极值;高温换热器是新型冷热电联产系统中产生(火用)损失的主要部件,而循环水量的大小是影响高温换热器(火用)效率的主要因素.     

从锅炉_效率分析看提高小型热电厂参数的意义

根据热量的概念推出锅炉效率公式,运用小偏差法原理导出效率与热效率及水蒸气平均吸热温度之间的相对变化率公式,分析了小型热电厂最高参数为次高温次高压的情况,得出提高电厂锅炉参数较提高热效率对增大燃料利用率更为重要的结论。     

电站锅炉的效率分析

通过对电站锅炉进行(火用)分析,得出了锅炉的(火用)效率及其各部位、各过程的(火用)损失大小,并把所得到的结果与锅炉热量平衡分析得到的结果进行了对比,发现锅炉的(火用)损失主要包括燃烧过程的(火用)损失和传热过程的(火用)损失,这就为进一步提高锅炉的效率指明了方向,即主要从燃烧、传热过程入手,通过富氧燃烧、提高蒸汽初参数等方法来减小锅炉的煤耗.     

微网风电系统的储能火用模型与火用经济研究

微网风电系统加装储能装置联合运行时,存在多种异质能量的相互转化,因此对系统性能的有效评估较为困难。为了准确衡量风能在系统中的利用、转化、损失特性,文章基于[火用]经济学基本原理,建立微网风储系统[火用]平衡及[火用]成本守恒模型,并依据所建模型确定系统各单元[火用]效率;同时确立[火用]优化潜力、成本差及[火用]经济因子的系统性能评估指标,并对微网热力学特性及经济性进行有效分析。通过试验表明,该模型能够可靠地对微网风储系统能效及经济性进行评估,可指明系统[火用]效率极大化的优化目标。     

Exergy analysis of industrial pasta drying process

In this study we present an energy and exergy modelling of industrial final macaroni (pasta) drying process for its system analysis, performance evaluation and optimization. Using actual system data, a performance assessment of the industrial macaroni drying process through energy and exergy efficiencies and system exergy destructions is conducted. The heat losses to the surroundings and exergy destructions in the overall system are quantified and illustrated using energy and exergy flow diagrams. The total energy rate input to system is 316.25 kW. The evaporation rate is 72 kg h^?1 (0.02 kg s^?1) and energy consumption rate is found as 4.38 kW for 1 kg water evaporation from product. Humidity product rate is 792 kg h^?1 (0.22 kg s^?1) and energy consumption rate is found about 0.4 kW for 1 kg short cut pasta product. The energy efficiencies of the pasta drying process and the overall system are found to be as 7.55–77.09% and 68.63%. The exergy efficiency of pasta drying process is obtained to be as 72.98–82.15%. For the actual system that is presented the system exergy efficiency vary between 41.90 and 70.94%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

金属镁还原系统的(火用)分析

从热力学原理出发,首次采用分析法研究了金属镁还原系统的损失部位与大小。结果表明:金属镁还原炉的效率很低,排烟损失和绝热燃烧损失都比较大,还原产物带走损失和还原炉体内部损失居次。据此提出了一些提高效率的措施。     

Performance investigation in modified and improved augmented power generation Kalina cycle using Python

In the generation of electricity and cogeneration, Kalina cycle is considered as one of the competitors to organic Rankine cycle. With the simplicity and identical components of the binary mixture, Kalina system makes it more prominent to get developed and implemented as well with its environmental friendly associate. This work proposes a new improved Kalina cycle system to convert the natural source from sun to useful work. The proposed system utilizes heat source suitable to medium temperature heat applications. The proposed cycle have 2 units of solar collector, favoring an additional heat recovery and higher performance. Solar hot source temperature and pressure are 190°C and 45 bar with additional flow to the turbine of 1.15 kg/s. Energy and second law analysis have considered in evaluating the performance of the proposed plant. The energy analysis shows minimum value of net power, energy efficiency and plant efficiency as 241 kW, 15.5% and 5.7. The exergy analysis defines that, to the proposed cycle, the exergy efficiency initializes at 77% with more exergy destruction at turbine with 31%. With the parametric analysis, the system is amended to have the maximum values of energy and exergy performances as 18.5%, 7.1% and 85%. The parametric study identifies the optimum value of the inlet temperature and pressure of the pump and turbine.     

Energy and exergy system analysis of thermal improvements of blast‐furnace plants

The blast‐furnace process dominating in the production of steel all over the world is still continuously improved due to its effectiveness (exergy efficiency is about 70%). The thermal improvement consist in an increase of the temperature of the blast and its oxygen enrichment, as well as the injection of cheaper auxiliary fuels. The main aim is to save coke because its consumption is the predominating item of the input energy both in the blast‐furnace plant and in ironworks. Besides coke also other energy carriers undergo changes, like the consumption of blast, production of the chemical energy of blast‐furnace gas, its consumption in Cowper‐stoves and by other consumers, as well as the production of electricity in the recovery turbine. These changes affect the whole energy management of ironworks due to the close connections between energy and technological processes. That means the production of steam, electricity, compressed air, tonnage oxygen, industrial water, feed water undergo changes as well. In order to determine the system changes inside the ironworks a mathematical model of the energy management of the industrial plant was applied. The results of calculations of the supply of energy carriers to ironworks can then be used to determine the cumulative energy and exergy consumption basing on average values of cumulative energy and exergy indices concerning the whole country. Such a model was also used in the system analysis of exergy losses. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermodynamic analysis of high‐ash coal‐fired power plant with carbon dioxide capture

A thermodynamic analysis of a 500‐MWe subcritical power plant using high‐ash Indian coal (base plant) is carried out to determine the effects of carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture on plant energy and exergy efficiencies. An imported (South African) low‐ash coal is also considered to compare the performance of the integrated plant (base plant with CO₂ capture plant). Chemical absorption technique using monoethanolamine as an absorbent is adopted in the CO₂ capture plant. The flow sheet computer program “Aspen Plus” is used for the parametric study of the CO₂ capture plant to determine the minimum energy requirement for absorbent regeneration at optimum absorber–stripper configuration. Energy and exergy analysis for the integrated plant is carried out using the power plant simulation software “Cycle‐Tempo”. The study also involves determining the effects of various steam extraction techniques from the turbine cycle (intermediate‐pressure–low‐pressure crossover pipe) for monoethanolamine regeneration. It is found that the minimum reboiler heat duty is 373 MW_th (equivalent to 3.77 MJ of heat energy per kg of CO₂ captured), resulting in a drop of plant energy efficiency by approximately 8.3% to 11.2% points. The study reveals that the maximum energy and exergy losses occur in the reboiler and the combustor, respectively, accounting for 29% and 33% of the fuel energy and exergy. Among the various options for preprocessing steam that is extracted from turbine cycle for reboiler use, “addition of new auxiliary turbine” is found to be the best option. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.