Thermodynamic and economic analysis on a two-stage predrying lignite-fueled power plant

In this study, an improved configuration of lignite-fueled power plant integrated with a two-stage predrying system was proposed. The predrying system mainly consists of two fluidized-bed dryers and an additional feed water heater. Lignite is dried successively in the exhaust gas dryer and steam dryer. With boiler exhaust gas being the heat source of the first stage dryer, waste heat of a fraction of the boiler exhaust gas can be used. The exhaust gas of the second stage dryer was considered to be water vapor and its latent heat can be recovered by the additional feed water heater. The thermodynamic and economic analysis show that with the lignite drying degree being 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3?kg/kg, the power generation efficiency of the proposed power plant is 1.45, 2.12, and 2.81% higher than that of the conventional lignite power plant, respectively. Moreover, the annual net economic benefit will be 1.34, 2.03, and 1.60 M$/a during the lifetime of the drying system. The annual net economic benefit is not necessarily higher with higher power generation efficiency.     

Theoretical Study and Case Analysis of a Predried Lignite–Fired Power Plant with the Waste Heat Recovery System

Along with the construction of many coal-fired power plants, the supply of bituminous coal has become a key interest in China. An increasing number of coal-fired power plants consume lignite. However, lignite-fired power plants feature a very low plant thermal efficiency. But by means of lignite predrying, the efficiency of the lignite-fired power system can be improved, and the recovery of waste heat from the dryer can improve the plant thermal efficiency further. In the present article a theoretical model of the predried lignite–fired power plant with the waste heat recovery system based on basic thermal principles is developed and an existing case is analyzed. The above plant was shown to enhance the thermal efficiency of a conventional lignite-fired power plant by approximately 2.45%, which is 0.58% higher than predried lignite–fired power plant without waste heat recovery. Moreover, the influence of system parameters on the improvement of the plant thermal efficiency is determined. The results can be used in optimization of a waste heat recovery system in the thermodynamic process to increase the economy of lignite-fired power plants.     

A Combined-Type Fluid-Bed Dryer Suitable for Integration Within a Lignite-Fired Power Plant: System Design and Thermodynamic Analysis

Lignite is becoming a competitive fuel for power plants, offering very high security of supply and cost-effectiveness. However, power plants firing lignite face some thorny issues, such as high carbon dioxide emissions, high investment in construction, etc. Lignite pre-drying is considered an attractive way to tackle these issues, but it consumes a lot of energy and has a high risk of ignition. Thus, a combined-type fluid-bed dryer, with which lignite could be dried safely using some waste from a power-generation process, is proposed in this paper. Both boiler exhaust flue gas and steam extraction of steam turbines are used as heat sources for this kind of dryer. To analyze its thermodynamics, a theoretical model was developed with which a reference case of a 1000 MW air-condensing power plant was performed. The results show that a dryer integrated within the power plant can evidently increase the plant efficiency by approximately 2.55%. The main factors, including the degree of pre-drying, dryer thermal efficiency, and the temperature of dryer exhaust, were analyzed. The results show that the degree of pre-drying has the most obvious influence. A 0.1 increase in pre-drying degree improves the plant thermal efficiency by about 0.62%, while a 10°C decrease of dryer exhaust temperature and a 10% increase in dryer thermal efficiency could improve the plant thermal efficiency by about 0.10% and 0.22%, respectively.     

Energy and exergy analyses of a lignite-fired power plant integrated with a steam dryer at rated and partial loads

Lignite is a reliable raw energy material with abundant supply worldwide. However, the efficient use of lignite to generate power remains challenging, because lignite exhibits undesirable characteristics, including low heating value and high moisture content. Despite these disadvantages, the efficiency of lignite-fired power plants can be increased by predrying lignite. In this study, a predried lignite-fired power plant, which uses steam extracted from steam turbines as a heat source to dry lignite, was simulated using Aspen Plus. This study then analyzed the performance of the predried lignite-fired power plant at rated and partial loads on the basis of the thermodynamics principles. This study also examined the influence of lignite predrying on the exergy losses and destructions of the power plant components. Results indicate that the exergy destructed the combustion process decreases significantly because of lignite predrying, by 5.78 percentage points. The plant thermal efficiency based on the lower heating value of raw lignite relatively increases by 4.35%. The efficiency improvement of the power plant reduces as the load ratio decreases, because exergy is destructed in the admission opening, which is used to control the pressure of the steam leading to the dryer. The integration of the dryer saves energy only when the load ratio is >50%.     

Thermodynamic Analysis on a Lignite-Fired Power System Integrated with a Steam Dryer: Investigation on Energy Supply System of the Dryer

Lignite is becoming a competitive fuel for power generation with high security of supply and a low price. But a power plant firing lignite directly always has some weaknesses, including low thermal efficiency and high construction investment. Predrying lignite before feeding it to the boiler is a potential method to tackle these weaknesses, and low-pressure steam extracted from steam turbines is considered a competitive heat source for the drying process. In a lignite-fired power system integrated with a steam dryer, the steam extraction is led to the dryer via a connection pipe and depressurization valve. To obtain a stable drying temperature at a variable load of power, steam extraction is often used by the dryer after depressurization, which indeed causes exergy loss. To reduce the exergy loss, the steam extraction was proposed to be supplied to the dryer via a compressor or ejector. Thermodynamic models were developed to calculate the net efficiency of a power system with different energy supply systems. The energy saving boundary—that is, the net efficiency of power system could be increased in some ranges of drying temperature by some energy supply system of dryer—was obtained. Furthermore, the exergy efficiencies were calculated.     

水循环式热泵干燥装置的性能分析

水循环式热泵干燥装置是指热泵和干燥部分通过水循环耦合而成的热泵干燥系统，是一种中小型热泵干燥装置的结构型式。对水循环式热泵干燥装置的开机过程、调控特性、能源效率进行了分析，相关结论可为推广应用提供参考。     

循环热风低温干燥系统湿空气冷凝特性分析

基于能量梯级利用热力系统耦合理论,集成了一种适合热敏性农副产品烘干的新型空气干燥循环系统,系统可得到热敏性干燥产品,同时回收湿空气冷凝废热用于有机朗肯循环(ORC)系统对外做功。对关键部件湿空气冷凝器建立传热传质数学模型并经实验验证,考察了关键操作参数对系统脱水速率及节能效果的影响。结果表明,湿空气湿度是影响该系统凝水和节能的最关键参数,该系统凝水及节能特性均随湿空气湿度提高而改善;当干燥箱出口湿空气含湿量温度一定时,新型空气干燥循环凝水量主要受到干燥箱出口空气流量的影响,系统的凝水量和换热量均随湿空气质量流量增加先增加后降低,在0.10~0.15 kg/s出现极大值;系统净输出功随ORC底循环蒸发温度提高显著增加。本系统下的热敏性农副产品烘干建议选择低空气流速、低烘干温度,推荐的ORC底循环蒸发温度为313~323 K。     

INDIRECT THERMAL DRYING OF LIGNITE: DESIGN ASPECTS OF A ROTARY DRYER

ABSTRACT

An investigation of the thermal drying of lignite has been carried out, by using an indirect heat pilot rotary drum. The process aims at the production of dry lignite and clean steam as part of a gasification procedure. Both flighted and bare drum modes have been employed. Temperature profiles along the dryer length, the amount of evaporation (moisture conversion) and the solids residence time distribution (RTD) were measured. A non-isothermal model was tested under three different regimes of solids flow. Model integration, by taking account of experimental amount of evaporation at dryer exit and temperature profiles along the dryer length, has been utilized in the validation of drying kinetics and heat transfer correlations. Model predictions compare satisfactorily with the operating data of an indirect heat industrial lignite dryer. Overall heat transfer coefficients of the pilot rotary dryer were found to agree well with those reported for direct heat dryers.     

Lignite drying with solar energy: Thermodynamic analysis and case study

As a clean, free, and nondepleting source, solar energy has become the focus of increasing attention in the drying industry. A lignite-fired power plant integrated with a solar dryer (LPPS), in which solar energy is used to dry lignite and the predried lignite is used to generate electricity, is analyzed theoretically in this paper. The aim of this study is to evaluate the energy performance of solar drying under different system parameters. Thermodynamic models, with which the second-law efficiency of the LPPS could be maximized, were developed. A reference case with three kinds of lignite as input fuel was analyzed to quantify the system performance. The first-law and second-law efficiencies were obtained. The solar-to-electric conversion efficiency in the LPPS is more than 34%. Therefore, solar drying is a potential technology that should be promoted in lignite-deposited areas. Moreover, the influence of main parameters on the performance of system was analyzed. Dryer efficiency is determined to have significant influence on the solar-to-electric conversion efficiency.     

Parallel plate heat exchanger for heat energy recovery in a farm grain dryer

One of the methods with the most potential to reduce energy consumption in grain drying is heat recovery from the dryer exhaust air. A parallel plate heat exchanger to recover heat energy from the exhaust air of a recirculating batch grain dryer was examined by theoretical assessments as well as by measurements in a scaled-down research dryer and experimental heat exchanger. In addition to the heat transfer performance, the operability in dusty conditions was investigated. Finally, the optimization of the heat exchanger was introduced by the aid of the calculation models and practical measurement. The heat exchanger performed satisfactorily, providing an average energy saving of approximately 18%. A significant improvement in the performance could be achieved by increasing the air velocity. No severe dust accumulation was observed, and a heat exchanger of this type could provide remarkable energy saving possibilities in grain drying. Further tests are necessary to ensure the operability in long-term use.     

Performance of heat pump drying system integrated into a blood dryer

ABSTRACT

In general, most heat losses in industrial dryers arise due to the discharge of humid air. Using heat pump drying systems, heat from the exhaust humid air can be recovered, thus improving the energy efficiency substantially. In this study, the performance of heat pump integration in a blood dryer was examined. Computer simulation models of the original high-temperature (180°C) dryer and the proposed system with heat pump integration and auxiliary heating were developed. Different heat pump systems and working fluids were investigated to determine the best performing heat pump system. In this case, it was found that an R245fa heat pump system with a subcooler is the best solution. When using an absorption heat pump, the results showed that a type I absorption heat pump with H₂O–LiBr as working fluid pair performs the best. In addition, the economic benefit as well as the optimum operating conditions of the dryer with integrated heat pump were also determined.     

Energy,exergy and economic analyses on heat pump drying of lignite

Abstract

Evaporative drying of lignite is an energy intensive process. In this study, the heat pump is integrated with a lignite drying system to decrease the energy consumption rate of lignite drying. The performance of heat pump drying is energetically and exergetically evaluated with developed models. Results show that the power consumption rates to dehydrate 1?kg of water from raw lignite in the heat pump drying system without and with lignite preheater are 660.82 and 585.62?kJ (kg H₂O)^?1, respectively. Exergetic analysis indicates that most exergy is destructed in the condenser and the evaporator in the heat pump drying. The case of lignite-to-electricity process (i.e., a lignite-fired power plant integrated with heat pump drying) is studied to examine additional benefits of heat pump drying to the downstream industrial processes that consume dried lignite. Thermodynamic and economic models are developed. Net efficiency of the lignite-to-electricity process can be increased by 1.4 and 1.57 percentage points for heat pump drying without and with lignite preheater, respectively. Preliminary economic analysis shows that the integration of heat pump drying without and with lignite preheater can earn additional 1.42 and 1.73 million USD, respectively. The influences of drying system and heat pump parameters are also analyzed.     

Conceptual design of a novel hybrid fuel cell/desalination system

A novel concept for integrating fuel cells with desalination systems is proposed and investigated in this work. Two unique case studies are discussed — the first involving a hybrid system with a reverse osmosis (RO) unit and the second — integrating with a thermal desalination process such as multi-stage flash (MSF). The underlying motivation for this system integration is that the exhaust gas from a hybrid power plant (fuel cell/turbine system) contains considerable amount of thermal energy, which may be utilized for desalination units. This exhaust heat can be suitably used for preheating the feed in desalination processes such as reverse osmosis which not only increases the potable water production, but also decreases the relative energy consumption by approximately 8% when there is an increase of just 8°C rise in temperature. Additionally, an attractive hybrid system application which combines power generation at 70%+ system efficiency with efficient waste heat utilization is thermal desalination. In this work, it is shown that the system efficiency can be raised appreciably when a high-temperature fuel cell co-generates DC power in-situ with waste heat suitable for MSF. Results indicate that such hybrid system could show a 5.6% increase in global efficiency. Such combined hybrid systems have overall system efficiencies (second-law base) exceeding those of either fuel-cell power plants or traditional desalination plants.     

Reducing energy requirement for drying of beet-pulp: Simulation of energy integration between superheated steam and air drying systems

Beet-pulp dehydration in the sugar industry is a highly energy intensive unit operation. Producing 1?kg of dried beet-pulp requires ～2–3?kg of water to be removed. The cost saving is a real challenge in sugar factory as the current dryers are underperforming (around 3?MJ/kg of water evaporated) because the heat recovery is limited and only a small proportion of dryer exhaust can be reused. The aim of this study was to investigate by simulation the energy efficiency of an independent multistage drying method that combines superheated steam drying (SHSD) and hot air drying (AD). Two case studies awarding the two types of energy coupling (AD then SHSD or SHSD then AD) are presented and compared. An approach of optimization is developed from energy balance. A number of operating parameters of the two drying configurations are investigated using sensitivity analysis. It proves that both cases allow an energy economy around 40% compared to the conventional dryer. Nevertheless, the SHSD-AD plant may present more benefits for a better quality product.     

褐煤干燥水分回收利用及其研究进展

褐煤干燥提质过程中的水资源化回收利用工艺技术可以提高煤阶并回收宝贵的水资源,降低干燥提质单元能耗。本文从介绍褐煤中水的存在形态出发,围绕烟气直接干燥、蒸汽流化床干燥、微波干燥、机械热压脱水干燥等工艺综述了近年来干燥水回收利用的研究现状和最新进展,讨论分析了褐煤干燥与水回收利用工艺的选择原则。在回收褐煤中丰富的水资源时,除了单纯考虑回收褐煤中的水资源,还应权衡褐煤干燥工艺、干燥温度和干燥介质、干燥水蒸气的余热利用方式以及干燥工艺上下游间的衔接等因素。基于目前褐煤资源的主要用途,将干燥尾气采用换热技术回收低温余热和干燥冷凝水直接净化处理后的二次回用技术将是以后的重要研究和应用方向。     

褐煤锅炉冷端优化热力系统技术经济性比较

对电站锅炉排烟余热进行回收,使一部分锅炉冷端烟气热能梯级利用于汽轮机回热系统,是燃煤电厂增效减排的重要途径。以某600MW超临界燃褐煤机组为例,对低温省煤器、送风分段预热和旁通烟道3种锅炉冷端优化热力系统进行了热经济性与技术经济性比较。结果表明,由上述3种系统回收锅炉排烟由148℃降温至90℃余热,机组供电标准煤耗率分别减小4.43g/（kW·h）、5.84g/（kW·h）和6.48g/（kW·h）,项目投资分别为2562万元、2348万元和2261万元。以机组在THA工况下年运行5500h计,3种系统每年由节煤增加净收益994万元、1350万元和1514万元,动态投资回收期分别为3.13年、2.00年和1.71年。可见褐煤锅炉排烟余热回收可明显提高电厂效率。3种冷端优化热力系统中,旁通烟道系统展示出最优的热经济性和技术经济性,建议对其进一步研究和应用。     

印尼褐煤在蒸汽管回转干燥机中干燥特性研究

针对印尼褐煤的物料特性,利用蒸汽管回转干燥机对其进行不同温度,不同粒度的干燥特性研究。试验结果表明,煤粉粒径为0～20 mm范围时干燥效果较好;工业干燥机的停留时间应在45 min左右;根据试验机传热系数放大后得到工业干燥机的传热系数为94W/(m2.K);干燥过程对煤具有一定的破碎作用,干燥尾气当中不含可燃物质,生产中控制氧含量即可满足安全生产的要求。     

有机朗肯循环在多品位余热发电中的应用

低温余热的充分利用能够有效提高能源的利用效率、降低生产企业的能耗。本文以含硫天然气净化厂生产过程产生的余热为研究对象，对余热资源品位、余热回收潜能进行了分析和评价。通过对不同的余热发电方案进行分析对比，提出了以有机朗肯循环（ORC）为基础的多品位余热发电方案（MG-ORC），并对该发电方案进行了热力学分析。借助正交实验手段和多目标优化方法，对不同循环工质条件下MG-ORC发电方案的性能进行了对比分析，结果表明：工质R-600较其余4种工质表现出更优的综合性能，MG-ORC发电系统热效率为17.7%，净输出功率约2600kW。MG-ORC发电方案能够有效合理利用含硫天然气净化厂产生的余热，实现了能源的按质用能和梯级利用。     

顺丁橡胶尾气系统的工艺与设备

顺丁橡胶装置废气处理系统采用上海东化环境工程有限公司催化氧化技术处理顺丁橡胶装置振动筛、干燥箱排气中的正己烷、丁二烯等成分。从顺丁橡胶装置来的废气进入气液分离器和过滤器分离游离水和胶沫后,进入增压风机增压,经废气换热器加热后进入反应器进行催化氧化反应,将有害的挥发性有机物转化为二氧化碳和水。从反应器出来的废气进入废气换热器回收热量后通过排气筒排入大气。     

Combined ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-drying of apple slices

Abstract

Conductive hydro-drying also known as Refractance Window drying is a relatively new drying technology, which uses hot water to carry thermal energy to materials to be dehydrated. It has a high retention of heat sensitive quality parameters (vitamins, antioxidants, and color) with better energy efficiency than freeze-drying as well as many other conventional drying methods. A new ultrasound and infrared assisted conductive hydro-dryer (UIACHD) was developed to increase drying rate while reducing required hot water temperature and increasing the drying material thickness. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the new dryer and to compare the performance of a pilot scale continuous UIACHD with a freeze-dryer and a cabinet dryer in drying apple slices. The physiochemical characteristics of the dried apple slices including flavonoid content, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, vitamin C content and color were measured. In addition, the energy consumption and energy efficiency of the dying methods were evaluated. Results showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can result in higher drying rates and lower product moisture content. Quality of UIACHD dried apple slices was close to the freeze-dried products and it was significantly better than the cabinet dried products. Moreover, the energy efficiency of UIACHD was considerably better than the cabinet dryer and the freeze-dryer. The results of this study showed that combining ultrasound and infrared with conductive hydro-drying can lead to an energy-efficient process with good quality retention ability.