Energy, economy, and ecological (3E)‐based performance evaluation of a steam cycle power plant through optimization investigation

Abstract

AbstractEnergy, economy, and ecological (3E)‐based analysis of steam cycle power plant evaluated through multiobjective investigation. The Montazer Ghaem steam‐based power plant situated in Iran is considered for investigation. Cycle efficiency, total cost, and ecological function of steam power cycle are treated as the 3E objective in the analysis. Simultaneous optimization of this performance parameter is executed through a heat transfer search algorithm. Fifteen operating variables of the steam power cycle, which includes different pressure, temperature, and isentropic efficiency are considered during the 3E‐based optimization investigation. The dryness fraction of the exhaust stream and condensing temperature are operating constraints considered in the present investigation. The results are presented in the form of Pareto solutions. The results of the Pareto solution indicate that a 6.73% variation in cycle efficiency, 44.67% variation in total cost rate, and 15.63% variation in ecological function (ECF) are observed between extreme values of 3E objectives. The obtained optimum condition is compared with the present actual operating condition of the steam power cycle. Comparative results reveal 5.27% higher cycle efficiency with 15.53% higher ECF as compared to the actual running case. For identical total cost rate of the system, 4.65% higher cycle efficiency with 1.21% rise in ECF was observed as compared to actual running case. Further, the uncertainty propagation of the Pareto points is obtained with different uncertainty levels to identify the robustness of the solutions. Finally, the important operating variables are identified and their effects on the 3E objectives are also investigated.