Title: Energy efficient power generation systems at low and medium heat recoveries

Authors: N. Shankar Ganesh; T. Srinivas

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kingston Engineering College, Vellore – 632059, India ' CO2 Research and Green Technologies Centre, Energy Division, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, Vellore – 632014, India

Abstract: Kalina cycle is considered as an efficient power generation cycle in waste heat recovery applications. Three configurations have been examined thermodynamically to highlight the performance potentials at two heat recovery levels for Kalina cycle system (KCS). The operational parameters of all the three cycles vary with separator conditions. The system specifications have been developed at optimised working conditions. The optimum high pressure (HP) and source temperature for three cycles are 35 bar-170°C and 50 bar-230°C respectively at low and medium temperature levels. The output and energy efficiency maximises at 100 kW-11.5%, 100 kW-12% and 280 kW-21% in the same order at hot climatic conditions. The heat exchangers are sized for all the three plants considered after the thermodynamic rating. The cost estimation also has been performed by suitably assumed heat transfer coefficients. The total plant cost in the order of temperature levels are $6,093.55/kW, $5,806.68/kW and $3,358.29/kW. It shows that the unit cost is reduced with an increase in capacity of the plant.

Keywords: low heat recovery; Kalina cycle; thermodynamics; vapour absorption; energy efficiency; power generation systems; medium heat recovery; waste heat recovery; heat exchangers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2015.074158

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2015 Vol.11 No.4, pp.358 - 370

Received: 27 Mar 2015
Accepted: 26 May 2015
Published online: 13 Jan 2016 *

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