New Kalina cycle promises more efficient cogeneration

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Cogenerat. J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5762032

The Kalina cycle improves upon the Rankine cycle by adding a distillation phase. This is necessary because the process employs two fluids to make steam-ammonia and water. Use of two fluids is not a new idea, but the Kalina cycle works both components to their optimal extent because of the innovative distillation step. Prior to boiling, an ammonia/water (30/70) solution is raised to an intermediate pressure before entering the distillation subsystem. Here, two streams are created: one, half ammonia, half water; the other, mainly water. The ammonia/based stream is vaporized in the boiler, further raising the pressure, and is expanded through the turbine. It then rejoins the pressurized water stream, where it is condensed-completing the cycle. The Kalina cycle claims higher efficiencies than the Rankine because: less fuel is required to make steam; more pressure is achieved to turn the turbine; less pressure is needed for condensation.

• OSTI ID: 5762032
• Journal Information: Cogenerat. J.; (United States), Vol. 1:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
42 ENGINEERING
COGENERATION
THERMODYNAMIC CYCLES
AMMONIA
BOILING
DISTILLATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
EVAPORATION
PRESSURE CONTROL
PRESSURIZING
STEAM
STEAM TURBINES
VAPOR CONDENSATION
WATER
WORKING FLUIDS
CONTROL
DEUS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUIDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MACHINERY
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POWER GENERATION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STEAM GENERATION
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
320304* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Waste Heat Recovery & Utilization
425007 - Engineering- Power Cycles- Other- (1980-)