Improvement of the cascading closed loop cycle system

Abstract

Aspen Plus was used to simulate and get more information about the cascading closed loop cycle (CCLC) system [1–3]. Following evaluation of the variable temperature heat source (e.g. gas turbine flue gas) utilized by the CCLC, both qualitative and quantitive comparisons between the system and simple steam Rankine cycle, were made. The results indicate that CCLC has the advantage in recuperating exergy from flue gas, but it cannot sufficiently convert the recuperated exergy to useful work. To improve the utilization of low temperature flue gas heat, the properties and parameters of the working substance must match conditions of the low temperature heat source. A better cycle scheme and pressure distribution was proposed to raise the efficiency of the CCLC. In addition, the multifunction system concept was introduced to improve the performance of CCLC with solar energy.