Exergy Analysis Of Rankine

Cycle And Steam Turbine

Powerplant

Introduction:
To meet the energy requirements of advancements introduced in our lives, it
is necessary to utilize the available resources efficiently. It is required to
modify the Power Plants, designed to generate usable energy, so that they
produce maximum energy for a specified input. For this purpose, they are
subjected to thermodynamic analysis in order to determine the effect of
various parameters on their efficiency. Those results are then practically
implemented in order to achieve formerly mentioned target.
Exergy is a concept used in thermodynamic analysis which is defined as the
amount of maximum work that can be extracted from a system until it is
brought to equilibrium with respect to its environment. It is a theoretical
terminology and our target is to convert most of it into our desired form of
work. Exergy efficiency has always been an important consideration in
decision making regarding resource utilization. Efficiency is defined as the
ability to produce a desired effect without waste of, or with minimum use of,
energy, time, resources, etc., or the degree to which the ideal is approached
in performing a task. Ratios of energy are conventionally used to determine
efficiencies of engineering systems whose primary purpose is to analyze the
transformation of energy. These efficiencies are based on the first law of
thermodynamics.
In exergy analysis, the initial state is specified, and thus it is not a variable.
The work output is to be maximized when the process between two specified
states is executed in a reversible manner. All the irreversibilities are
disregarded in determining the work potential. Finally, the system must be in
the equilibrium state at the end of the process to maximize the work output.
A system is said to be in the equilibrium state when it is in thermodynamic
equilibrium with the environment. Exergy is consumed due to irreversibilities.
Exergy consumption is proportional to entropy action.
This type of analysis takes into account first and second laws of
thermodynamics unlike energy analysis which is based on first law of
thermodynamics only. Exergy analysis clearly indicates the locations of
energy degradation in a process and can therefore lead to improved
operation or technology. Exergy analysis can also quantify the quality of heat
in a waste stream. A main aim of exergy analysis is to identify exergy
efficiencies, the causes and true magnitude of exergy lose. In the following
text, exergy analysis of Rankine Cycle and Steam Turbine Power Plant will be
performed.

Rankine Cycle:
Rankine cycle is a thermodynamic cycle in which an operating fluid is
continuously evaporated and condensed. It is the fundamental operating
cycle of all power plants. The fluid we are using is water/steam. . The Block
Diagram of Rankine Cycle is shown below,

There are 4 basic components in a Rankine Cycle, namely; boiler, turbine,

condenser, and the pump. Water is heated in boiler at constant pressure till it
reaches superheated phase and then work is extracted from it by means of a
turbine. After work extraction, steam is condensed and pumped back to the
boiler. This is the general working of a Steam Turbine Power Plant.
Modifications have been introduced in this general Rankine cycle operation
to improve their efficiency. Here our objective is to observe the effects of
several constraints on the quality and availability of energy and to find ways
to improve exergy of the mentioned cycle
Before we begin the exergy analysis, we should first describe the types of
Rankine Cycle which are as follows
1. Ideal Rankine Cycle
2. Real Rankine Cycle

Ideal Rankine Cycle:

The T-s diagram for an ideal Rankine Cycle is shown below,

Process 1-2: Adiabatic Isentropic Compression: Water

at 1 is at low temperature and pressure. The pump compresses
the water isentropically and pumps it from low to high
pressure. As the fluid is a liquid at this stage, the pump
requires little input energy. The pressurized water is sent to the
boiler.

Process 2-3: Isobaric Heat Addition: The high pressure

liquid enters a boiler where it is heated at constant pressure by
 an external heat source to become a superheated steam. The
input energy required can be easily calculated graphically,
using an enthalpy-entropy chart, or numerically, using steam
tables.

Process 3-4: Adiabatic Isentropic Compression: The

superheated steam expands through a turbine, generating
power. This decreases the temperature and pressure of the
vapour, and some condensation may occur. Wet steam is
produced with a dryness fraction not less than 0.85. The output
in this process can be easily calculated using the chart or
tables noted above.

Process 4-1: Isobaric Heat Rejection: The wet steam

then enters a condenser where it is condensed at a constant
pressure to become a saturated liquid.

Non-Ideal Rankine Cycle:

The actual Rankine cycle differs from the ideal Rankine
cycle because of irreversibilities in the inherent components
caused by fluid friction and heat loss to the surroundings. Fluid
friction drops the pressure inside the boiler and the condenser so
the superheated steam leaves the boiler at a lower pressure. Heat
loss reduces the net work output so heat has to be added to
steam in the boiler maintain the work output. Also, irreversibilities
such as mixing, chemical reaction, unrestrained expansion, non
quasi equilibrium compression or expansion always
generate entropy and anything that generates entropy always
destroys exergy.

In a real power plant cycle, the compression by the pump and the
expansion in the turbine are not isentropic. In other words, these
processes are irreversible and entropy is increased during the two
processes. This somewhat increases the power required by the
pump and decreases the power generated by the turbine.

The P-V and T-s diagrams for a non-ideal cycle is shown below,

Exergy Analysis of a Rankine Cycle:

Exergy Balance
We will use these equations in an exergy balance to solve for such
quantities as reversible work or exergy destroyed.
Xin-Xout-Xdestroyed= Xsys
Xdestroyed is potential work/exergy that was destroyed due to
irreversibilities like friction.
Exergy can be transferred (Xin-Xout) by heat, work, and mass flow
Exergy Transfer by Heat Transfer
As we add heat to a system, we increase its ability to do work.

T
Wmax X heat QH max QH 1 o
TH

Exergy Transfer by Work and Mass Flow

If we do work on a system, we increase its ability to do work.
Xwork=W-Wsurr for boundary work
Xwork=W for all other kinds of work

Wsurr P0 V2 V1

Where,
P0 is atmospheric pressure, and V1 and V2 are the initial and final volumes of
the system

Xmass=m
Where,
=Xcv/m (exergy per unit mass)

Xdestroyed

Xdestroyed=I=ToSgen
Ssys=Sin-Sout+Sgen
Entropy Generated, Sgen

S m s m s Qk
gen
out
e e
in
i i T
k

For a control mass, this becomes

Qk
S gen S 2 S1
Tk
Here Tk is the temperature of the heat source or heat sink
(not the system temperature).

Final Equation for Xsys for control volume

For multiple fluid streams, unsteady flow:

To
T Qk W Po V2 V1 To S gen mi i me e X 2 X 1
1
k

For one fluid streams, steady flow:

To
1 T Qk W To S gen m i e 0

k
For Rankine Cycle
I To S gen
for a component :
Q
S gen m se si
Tk
S S
gen S
gen, pump gen ,boiler S gen,turbine S gen,cond .
Q pump Qboiler Q Q
m s2 s1 s3 s2 s4 s3 turbine s1 s4 cond .,in
To Tcomb.chamber To Tlake
Qout Qin
I To m T T
k ,out k ,in

We will then put this general equation for exergy destruction for a
rankine cycle in the exergy change equation for control volume to
find out the maximum useful work that can be obtained from a
non-ideal cycle. The efficiency is calculated by the formula,

W net ,actual W net ,actual

II
Wnet ,reversible W net ,actual I

The efficiency tells us how much of the maximum work is

converted to useful work and how much of it is lost as low
temperature waste heat. To minimize this loss (exergy
destruction) and hence increase efficiency, irreversibilities have to
be reduced.

Steam Turbine Power Plant:

It is the power plant which is used to generate electricity by the
use steam turbine. It works on Rankine Cycle. The major
components of this power plant are boiler, steam turbine,
condenser and water feed pump. The various components of
steam turbine power plant are:
1. Coal Storage: It is the place where coal is stored which can
be utilised when required.

2. Coal Handling: Here the coal is converted into the

pulverised form before feeding to the furnace. A proper
system is designed to transport the pulverised coal to the
boiler furnace.
3. Boiler: It converts the water into high pressure steam. It
contains the furnace inside or outside the boiler shell. The
combustion of coal takes place in the furnace.

4. Air-preheater: It is used to pre-heat the air before entering

into the boiler furnace. The pre heating of air helps in the
burning of fuel to a greater extent. It takes the heat from the
burnt gases from the furnace to heat the air from the
atmosphere. This increases the efficiency of the cycle.

5. Economiser: As its name indicates it economises the

working of the boiler. It heats the feed water to a specified
temperature before it enters into the boiler drum. It takes
the heat from the burnt gases from the furnace to do so.

6. Turbine: It is the mechanical device which converts the

kinetic energy of the steam to the mechanical energy.

7. Generator: It is coupled with the turbine rotor and converts

the mechanical energy of the turbine to the electrical energy.

8. Ash Storage: It is used to store the ash after burning of the

coal.

9. Dust Collector: It collects the dust particle from the burnt

gases before it is released to the chimney.

10. Condenser: It condensate the steam that leaves out

turbine. It converts the low pressure steam to water. It is
attached to the cooling tower.

11. Cooling Tower: It is a tower which contains cold water.

Cold water is circulates to the condenser for the cooling of
the residual steam from the turbine.

12. Chimney: It is used to release the hot burnt gases or

smoke from the furnace to the environment at appropriate
height. The height of the tower is very high such that it can
easily throw the smoke and exhaust gases at the appropriate
height. And it cannot affect the population living near the
steam power plant.
 13. Feed Water Pump: It is used to transport the feed
water to the boiler.

Working Principle:

In a steam turbine power plant, pulverized coal is fed into the

boiler where it is burnt in air to produce hot exhaust gases which
run through the pipes in a series of passes to boil the water and
convert it into high pressure steam. From the boiler, the high
pressure steam passes to the superheater where it is converted to
superheated steam. This superheated steam passes to the steam
turbine where it hits the blades mounted on the shaft and the
blades start rotating at a high speed. A generator is attached to
the rotor of the turbine and as the turbine rotates it also rotates
with the speed of the turbine. The generator converts the
mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy. The
superheated steam converts to wet steam in the turbine as its
pressure is lowered due to its expansion. This wet steam then
passes to the cooling tower where it gets condensed to saturated
water by the help of cold water from cooling tower. The
condensed water with the feed water enters into the economiser.
In the economiser the feed water gets heated up before entering
into the boiler. This heating of water increases the efficiency of
the boiler. The exhaust gases from the furnace pass through the
super heater, economiser and air pre-heater. The heat of this
exhaust gases is utilised in the heating of steam in the super
heater, feed water in the economiser and air in the air pre-heater.
After burning of the coal into the furnace, it is transported to ash
handling plant and finally to the ash storage.

Exergy Analysis of Steam Turbine Power

Plant:
The primary objective of this analysis is to analyze the system
components separately and to identify and quantify the sites
having largest exergy losses at different loads.
Plant Description
The Power Plant used is described as follows,
The power plant has a total installed power capacity of (1260)
MW. The power house consists of (4) steam turbines units (4x315)
MW at 100% load. The power plant uses Natural gas and heavy
fuel oil.
This unit employs regenerative feed water heating system. Feed
water heating is carried out in (1) stage of high pressure heater
(HPH1), (2) stages of intermediate pressure heaters (IPH2, IPH3)
and (4) stages of low pressure heaters (LPH4, LPH5, LPH6, LPH7).
Steam is superheated to (811) K and (16.64) MPa in the steam
generator and fed to the high pressure turbine. The mass flow
rate of the steam entering the high pressure turbine is 236 kg/s at
full load, the high pressure turbine exhaust stream at pressure
3.75 MPa is sent to a reheater where it is reheated to 811 K and
enters the intermediate pressure turbine at 3.378 MPa. The
intermediate pressure turbine exhaust stream is fed to the low
pressure turbine at 0.982 MPa and it exhausts to a water cooled
condenser operates at .0836 atm. Then, the cycle starts over
again.
At 75 % load the mass flow rate of the steam entering the high
pressure turbine is 170 kg/s, the high pressure turbine exhaust
stream at pressure 2.72 MPa is sent to a reheater where it is
reheated to 811 K and enters the intermediate pressure turbine at
2.45 MPa. The intermediate pressure turbine exhaust stream is
fed to the low pressure turbine at 0.718 MPa and it exhausts to a
water cooled condenser operates at 0.0836 atm. Then, the cycle
starts over again.
At 50 % load the mass flow rate of the steam entering the high
pressure turbine is 147.729 kg/s, the high pressure turbine
exhaust stream at pressure 2.37 MPa is sent to a reheater where
it is reheated to 811 K and enters the intermediate pressure
turbine at 2.13 MPa. The intermediate pressure turbine exhaust
stream is fed to the low pressure turbine at 0.822 MPa and it
exhausts to a water cooled condenser operates at 0.0836 atm.