Thermoeconomic analysis of a gasification-combined-cycle power plant. Final report. [Includes 2nd law evaluation of processes]

Technical Report · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5205433

Stojanoff, C G

This report presents the results of a study conducted to further develop a thermoeconomic (combined thermodynamic and economic) methodology for the analysis and evaluation of power plants, and to apply the procedures of the methodology to an integrated coal gasification-combined-cycle (IGCC) power plant. The design and cost estimates used in the thermoeconomic analysis are based on the results of a recent comprehensive EPRI study conducted by Fluor Engineers, Inc., with participation of Texaco, Inc., and of the General Electric Company. One basic plant configuration was thermoeconomically analyzed. Results of this study indicate that the cost of net electricity could decrease by increasing capital cost to decrease exergy losses in the gas turbine system, and by improving (reducing the capital cost of) the heat-exchanger network of the total process. Addition of a reheat stage in the gas turbine system can improve overall IGCC plant efficiency by more than 2.5 percentage points. The analyses allow identification and evaluation of the real cost sources, and the opportunities for improvement of any energy-conversion process. The detailed thermoeconomic analysis of the base plant is based on the exergy (useful energy) concept, and enables the costing of the exergy streams flowing between plant components, and the exergy losses (real ''energy'' losses) in these components. The higher the exergy losses, the lower the efficiency of the plant component being investigated. The recommendations from the thermoeconomic analysis are based on comparison between (a) costs of fuel and product of each plant component, and (b) capital costs and costs of exergy losses associated with each plant component. The objective is to find an optimum combination of capital expenditures and efficiency for the major components of the power plant. 21 refs., 19 figs., 33 tabs.

• Research Organization: Nevada Univ., Reno (USA). Desert Research Inst.
• OSTI ID: 5205433
• Report Number(s): EPRI-AP-4734; ON: TI87920058
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010404 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Gasification
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200102* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Power Cycles
42 ENGINEERING
420200 -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
BOILERS
CAPITALIZED COST
COAL GASIFICATION
COMBINED-CYCLE POWER PLANTS
COMPRESSORS
COOLING
COST
DATA
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRIC POWER
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY RECOVERY
EXERGY
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS COMPRESSORS
GAS FUELS
GAS TURBINES
GASES
GASIFICATION
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT RECOVERY
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
MACHINERY
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTIMIZATION
OXYGEN
OXYGEN PLANTS
POWER
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOVERY
REMOVAL
SENSITIVITY
STEAM TURBINES
SULFUR
TEXACO GASIFICATION PROCESS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMICS
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
WASTE HEAT BOILERS