Performance Optimization of Dual Pressure Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) in the Tropical Rainforest

Abstract

This work evaluates the performance optimization of heat recovery steam generator system in Afam VI power plant, Rivers State. Nigeria. Steady state monitoring and direct collection of data from the plant was performed including logged data for a period of 12 months. The data were analysed using various energy equations. Hysys software was used to model the temperature across the heating surfaces, and MATLAB software was used to determine the heat transfer coefficient, heat duties, steam flow, effectiveness of the HRSG. The optimization technique was carried out by varying the exhaust gas flow, exhaust gas temperature, steam pressure and the theoretical introduction of duct burner for supplementary firing. The results show that between 490℃ and 526℃, the percentage increase in the overall heat absorbed in the HRSG is 37.39%. It also show that for an increase in the exhaust gas mass flow by 80 kg/s, the steam generation increase by 19.29% and 18.18% for the low and high pressure levels respectively. The overall result indicates an improvement in the HRSG energy efficiency and steam generation. As the exhaust gas mass flow and temperature increases, the steam generation and system effectiveness greatly improved under the various considerations, which satisfy the research objective.