Thermodynamic investigation of dual-separator Kalina cycle system: Comparative study

Abstract

In this study, an arrangement of Kalina cycle is proposed in which it is intended to implement weak solution of Kalina cycle system 11 (KCS 11) for more power production. In this cycle, which is a version of KCS11 (KCS111), the weak solution of the traditional separator is heated in hot section of the evaporator. The stream that now includes vapor is separated in high-temperature separator that brings about an extra potential to produce work. In order to set pinch temperature in each of the heat exchangers included in the cycles an iterative method is used. The two cycles are compared for the same conditions as the base case, which is followed by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis. The consequences of streams’ curves in the heat exchangers are considered to present analytical justification for the improvements. Comparing the cycles at the base condition, it is observed that the presented cycle improves the exergy efficiency by nearly 18% while more than 17% improvement at the optimum ammonia mass fraction is achievable. Results show that, the proposed cycle produces larger mass flow rate of vapor passing through the turbines and is more efficient than KCS 11 for varying ammonia mass fractions. Results indicate that the trend of thermal efficiency versus ammonia mass fraction is descending for the both cycles.