Compressor Inlet Air Cooling Using Solar-Heated Water Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined cycle power plants experience a decrease in thermal efficiency and power output due to low-temperature exhaust gases when operated at high ambient temperatures, particularly when the regenerative cycle gas turbine configuration is applied, leading to inefficient energy utilization.
Innovation Solution
A solar assisted combined cycle power plant is designed with a solar collector, heat accumulator, and spray device to utilize solar thermal energy by spraying pressurized hot water onto compressor intake air, enhancing air density and mass flow rate through flash boiling, thereby maintaining steady power output and thermal efficiency regardless of meteorological conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the regenerative cycle gas turbine configuration is applied to heat combustion air using exhaust gas, then the power output is improved, but the overall thermal efficiency of the power plant decreases due to low-temperature exhaust gas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the exhaust gas from the regenerative cycle system and redirects it to the exhaust heat recovery steam generator, separating the combustion air heating function from the exhaust gas path. This allows the exhaust gas to be fully utilized for steam generation without being depleted of thermal energy, thereby maintaining high overall thermal efficiency while still achieving adequate power output through the steam turbine.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a water spray system as an intermediary between the exhaust gas and the combustion air. The water absorbs heat from the exhaust gas and evaporates, cooling the exhaust gas before it enters the steam generator. This intermediary process enables efficient heat transfer and maximizes the thermal energy utilization of the exhaust gas, improving overall thermal efficiency.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the gas turbine power plant is operated at high ambient temperature, then the operation continues, but the intake air quantity of the compressor decreases resulting in decreased power output and thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through evaporation. Water is sprayed into the hot exhaust gas stream, where it rapidly evaporates and absorbs large amounts of latent heat. This phase change process efficiently cools the exhaust gas, increasing its density and mass flow rate, which in turn improves the power output and thermal efficiency of the steam turbine while maintaining stable operation at high ambient temperatures.
3Power
If water is sprayed onto compressor intake air to cool it, then the power output is increased, but the exhaust gas temperature is reduced leading to decreased thermal efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces water as an intermediary substance that transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the combustion air indirectly. The water is sprayed into the exhaust gas stream, where it evaporates and absorbs heat, cooling the exhaust gas. This cooled exhaust gas then enters the steam generator with higher density and improved thermal efficiency, while the water vapor itself becomes part of the steam generation process, eliminating the energy loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The integration of solar thermal energy into the combined cycle power plant suppresses thermal efficiency decreases and maintains steady power output by increasing air density and mass flow rate through flash boiling, improving overall power generation efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions.
Implementation Method 1
The solar collector uses the thermal energy of sunlight to turn supplied water to warm water
Implementation Method 2
sprays the pressurized hot water onto the air to be taken into the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a solar assisted combined cycle power plant having a compressor that pressurizes combustion air, a combustor that mixes and burns the combustion air and gas turbine fuel to generate a high-temperature combustion gas, a gas turbine that drives the compressor by using the combustion gas, an exhaust heat recovery steam generator that obtains steam from thermal energy of a gas exhausted from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine that is driven by using the steam obtained by the exhaust heat recovery steam generator. The solar assisted combined cycle power plant includes a solar collector to turn supplied water to warm water; a heat accumulator that stores pressurized hot water from the solar collector and the exhaust heat recovery steam generator; and a spray device that handles the pressurized hot water as spray water and sprays the spray water onto the air to be taken into the compressor.