Application of exergy and entransy concepts to analyses performance of coal fired thermal power plant: a case study

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this research work, exergy and entransy analyses are done to find best-operating conditions for heat exchangers. Power outputs and heat rates for coal-fired thermal power plant are also calculated at different loads of plant. Mass flow rates, ambient temperature, extraction lines pressure drops and percentage increments of flow rates are chosen as variable parameters. Analyses can be done on developed PACFTPPEEC software. This work is concluded as – exergy rates for boiler and reheater increase with mass flow rates and ambient temperature; entransy dissipation number will be maximum when increment of mass flow rates of fluids are 5%; exergy/entransy dissipation rates, entransy dissipation based thermal resistances and entransy dissipation numbers decrease with extraction line pressure drop and best-operating conditions for heaters were obtained at 0% pressure drop. After analyses, smooth inner surfaces for extraction lines are recommended to minimise exergy and entransy dissipation rates for heaters.