Flash Tank Draining Circuit for Combined Cycle Plant Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined cycle plants for energy production inefficiencies arise from the dissipation of thermal energy associated with drained water and the lack of optimized reuse of tainted water, leading to reduced power output and increased fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a draining circuit with regulating valves and a flash tank system to reduce the pressure of tainted water, facilitating its rapid evaporation into steam, which is then reused in the steam circuit, while also implementing a cleaning device to recycle the water, thereby salvaging thermal energy and increasing power production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If tainted water is drained from evaporators and sent to flash tank for rapid evaporation, then salt content control is improved, but thermal energy is dissipated and plant efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of thermal energy loss from drained water into a beneficial resource by redirecting this hot water to preheat feed water entering the evaporators. The flash tank still performs its function of removing salt through rapid evaporation, but the previously wasted thermal energy in the drained water is now utilized to preheat the feed water, reducing the energy required for evaporation and improving overall plant efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely discarding the drained water after flash evaporation, the patent recovers the thermal energy contained in this water by using it to preheat feed water. The system separates the salt removal function (performed by the flash tank) from the thermal energy utilization (performed by the heat exchange between drained water and feed water), allowing both functions to be optimized simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If tainted water is cleaned and reused or heat is exploited, then energy loss is reduced, but plant efficiency is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the hot drained water to preheat the feed water before it enters the evaporators. This preheating action prepares the feed water in advance, reducing the energy required during the actual evaporation process and improving the overall efficiency of the power generation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the salt removal function of the flash tank with the heat recovery function by integrating the heat exchange process into the existing drainage system. The drained water serves dual purposes: maintaining salt control through flash evaporation and providing thermal energy for feed water preheating, thereby optimizing plant efficiency while maintaining operational requirements.
3Power
If thermal energy of drained water is salvaged and water is recycled, then power output increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by making the drained water serve multiple functions: it maintains salt control through flash evaporation and simultaneously provides thermal energy for feed water preheating. This eliminates the need for separate heat recovery systems and reduces overall device complexity while increasing power output through improved energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using the drained water itself to preheat the feed water, without requiring external energy sources or complex heat recovery equipment. The hot drained water automatically provides the necessary thermal energy through heat exchange, simplifying the system architecture while improving power output.
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
This approach enhances plant efficiency by increasing power output while maintaining fuel consumption, allowing for substantial water reuse and reduced waste, resulting in significant economic benefits and improved operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the tainted water is then sent to a rapid evaporation tank, also known as a 'flash tank'
Implementation Method 2
The flash tank is configured to produce steam and to reduce the water to atmospheric pressure
Implementation Method 3
a steam turbine unit supplied with steam produced in a boiler and configured to produce power
Implementation Method 4
a boiler supplied with exhaust gases from the gas turbine unit and configured to produce steam
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A combined cycle plant (1; 50) for energy production is provided with: a gas turbine unit (2); - a steam turbine unit (3); a boiler (4) supplied with exhaust gas from the gas turbine unit (2) and configured to produce steam to be supplied to the steam turbine unit (3); the boiler (4) comprising at least a first evaporator (20) at a first pressure level and at least a second evaporator (24) at a second pressure level lower than the first pressure level; a draining circuit (6; 60) configured to drain tainted water from the first evaporator (20) and/or from the second evaporator (24); and a cleaning device (7) configured to clean the tainted water drained by the draining circuit (6; 60) so as to make it reusable in the combined cycle plant (1).