Parametric simulation and performance analysis of a solar gas turbine power plant from thermodynamic and exergy perspectives

Abstract

Using solar energy in gas turbine cycles is a new method that can improves the efficiency of gas turbines. Placing a solar receiver before a combustion chamber can raise the temperature of the air coming into the chamber and reduce the consumption of fuel in the chamber. The system that combines a solar energy receiver with a gas turbine cycle is technically called a “solar gas turbine”. The goal of this paper is the parametric simulation and performance analysis of a gas turbine cycle equipped with a solar receiver from thermodynamic and exergy aspects of view. The selected parameters in this study, include the pressure ratio of compressor, the temperature of gases at the turbine inlet and the direct normal irradiance. The obtained results indicate that the fuel consumption of this combined system is reduced by using a solar receiver and the temperature of gases entering the combustion chamber increased. The reduction of consumed fuel, in turn, reduces the rate of exergy destruction in the combustion chamber. Another important point is that the solar receiver itself has the least amount of exergy destruction. The net power generated by a solar gas turbine cycle is 10 % higher than that produced by a simple gas turbine cycle. Also, the studies show that the electrical efficiency of a solar gas turbine cycle is about 41 % higher than the simple gas turbine cycle.