Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (Sep 2024)
Energy and exergy optimization of Kalina Cycle System-34 with detailed analysis of cycle parameters
Abstract
This study proposes a novel methodology for optimizing the Kalina Cycle System-34, providing new insights into the existing literature on the cycle. The research highlights the cycle's key variables and identifies the most critical parameters that require improvement while proposing a practical and effective optimization method. The effects of parameters on thermal and exergy efficiency were quantified using Taguchi and ANOVA methods. The study focuses on critical parameters such as evaporator outlet temperature, turbine inlet pressure, ammonia concentration, turbine efficiency, and pump efficiency. The optimal values of these parameters were determined within specified ranges. Furthermore, the study employed the L25 orthogonal array to create case scenarios that reduced the computational cost of the Kalina cycle. The best-case scenario was not included in the 25 cases in the orthogonal array, which significantly reduced computational costs. The results showed that the system's thermal efficiency increased to 16.2 %, and exergy efficiency increased to 27.8 %, with the case conditions for the best case being an evaporator outlet temperature of 120 °C, ammonia concentration of 0.9, turbine inlet pressure of 40 bar, turbine efficiency of 0.9, and pump efficiency of 0.8.