A novel inlet air cooling system to improve the performance of intercooled gas turbine combined cycle power plants in hot regions

Abstract

In hot climates, the entry of high-temperature air into the compressor of intercooled gas turbine power plants (IcGTCC) can lead to reduced electricity production during peak demand periods. To address this issue, this study proposes a novel inlet air cooling (IAC) system for improving the performance of IcGTCC in hot regions. This system utilizes waste heat from the intercooler to cool the compressor's inlet air via absorption chillers. The performance of this system was evaluated and compared to four popular IAC technologies: evaporative cooling, solar-powered absorption cooling, steam-operated absorption cooling, and vapor compression cooling. Additionally, the expected annual profit and payback period were estimated. Results show that the proposed IAC system resolves the drawbacks of IcGTCC in hot regions, increasing the power output by 19% and the overall efficiency by 2.3%. It is estimated that the proposed IAC system can improve plant efficiency by 8–18% compared to literature designs, leading to higher annual profits (66% and 10% higher than steam and mechanical cooling systems, respectively). Moreover, it has a short payback period of 1.74 years, which is 3%, 67%, and 85% shorter than mechanical, steam, and solar cooling systems, respectively, making it a highly cost-effective solution.