Title: Environmental impact assessment of using various fuels in a thermal power plant

Authors: Onur Oruc; Ibrahim Dincer

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey ' Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract: In this study, a Rankine cycle is investigated thermodynamic analyses through energy and exergy approaches. Environmental impact assessment for lignite, hard coal, biomass, fuel oil and hydrogen are also performed. For this purpose, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emission values are calculated for different fuels. The emission values are calculated using the emission factor method. The use of biomass and hydrogen significantly reduces emissions. Additionally, the effects of lignite drying process on the emissions from the plant are studied comparatively. It is aimed to decrease the humidity of Turkish (Tuncbilek) lignite from 27% to 19% in the drying chamber. By decreasing the moisture content, the lower heating value of the lignite is increased, and the emissions of CO₂, NO_x and SO₂ resulting from lignite combustion are then decreased. The overall energy and exergy efficiencies are comparatively evaluated as found to be 29.6% and 47%, respectively.

Keywords: power plant; environmental impact; exergy; biomass; emissions; hydrogen.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGW.2019.101082

International Journal of Global Warming, 2019 Vol.18 No.3/4, pp.191 - 205

Received: 13 Nov 2018
Accepted: 24 Feb 2019
Published online: 23 Jul 2019 *

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