Abstract
Utilizing preheating units is one of the most critical ways to improve the performance of thermal power plants. Increasing the overall efficiency of Brayton or Rankine cycles by preheating the air or stream may result in considerable increases in output power and efficiency. When it comes to renewable energy, solar energy is an appealing alternative for use as a source of preheating since it is readily accessible. The current article discusses the use of solar energy for preheating air and steam in thermal power plants, as well as other uses. The performance of the systems is being improved, according to evaluations, as a result of a variety of elements, including the configuration of the reference system, the operating environment, the applied technology, and so on. Aside from improving the overall efficiency of the power plant, the incorporation of a solar preheating system may significantly decrease fuel usage and, as a result, carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, owing to the unavailability of solar energy during the night and overcast hours, thermal storage units may improve the system's dependability while also increasing the contribution of solar energy to the system's output.
Highlights
While several renewable energy technologies for electricity production have been developed, traditional thermal power plants employing coal, oil, and natural gas play an important role in large-scale power generating [1]
The present study examines solar preheating in thermal power plants that use fossil fuels to generate electricity
The following are some of the most significant findings: The integration of a solar preheating system with a thermal power plant may result in a considerable decrease in fuel consumption due to the contribution of solar energy to the production of electricity
Summary
While several renewable energy technologies for electricity production have been developed, traditional thermal power plants employing coal, oil, and natural gas play an important role in large-scale power generating [1]. Improved system performance, operating conditions and system components, heat recovery from waste heat, and other techniques are among the approaches used in traditional thermal power plants to reduce energy consumption[2] Another way for improving the overall efficiency of power generating cycles is to preheat the fuel before the process begins. A unique preheating unit in which air absorbed thermal energy from flue gas, feedwater, and circulating water in multiple tubular heat exchangers was evaluated to determine its economic impact on the environment They discovered that by switching to this preheating system instead of the usual one, the system's efficiency increased, and the busy payback time was reduced to 5.30 years, compared to the conventional method[7][8][9][10]. The uses of solar preheating systems based on warmed media are discussed in further detail in the following subsections[18][19]
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