Evaluation on novel Kalina power generation system through exergoenvironmental analysis

Abstract

First law analysis assesses the performance of the system considered for investigation in the energy aspect. Low-temperature power generation system suitable to recover waste heat from a renewable source is investigated in the present work. The system is adopted to work at hot sink conditions and investigation on performance assessment is carried out in exergy aspect. Exergy analysis in both conventional and advanced methods proposes the system components which need improvements in themselves and associated with other components more properly. Exergoenvironmental analysis using the Life cycle assessment (LCA) method is examined in the system under the same sink conditions. Exergy analysis reveals that the component with a high source will yield more losses resulting in higher irreversibility. Hence turbine and evaporator need investigation in improving the system’s performance. Exergoenvironmental investigation suggests that the highest impact results in the low-temperature regenerator (LTRGN). The improvement in these components' designs and limitations in the characteristics of the material chosen and the manufacturing methods involved will favor a higher performance of the system. LTRGN has resulted in with high relative cost difference value of 23.85 % and seeks improvement. The exergy destruction is in a larger amount in the components evaporator and turbine with 70.66 kW and 30.99 kW respectively. Avoidable exergy destruction value of evaporator, condenser results 51.11 $/hr and 16.64 $/hr respectively. The LTRGN has an environmental effect rate of 54.83 mPts/hr and device-related environmental effects of 45.16 mPts/hr. The (ĖD/ĖP), (Ẏ/ĖP) and (Ż/ĖP), values at 85% pump efficiency results 2.16, 0.00946 and 0.30871.

Keywords

• Power generation
• Kalina
• Exergoeconomic
• Exergoenvironmental
• Investment cost