The whys of Combined Cycle power plants

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Combined cycle power plants primarily utilize gas turbines and steam turbines to maximize efficiency, typically achieving up to 65% efficiency. Coal is unsuitable as a fuel due to the abrasive nature of coal ash, which can damage turbine blades and complicate the combustion process. The Brayton cycle, followed by the Rankine cycle, is the standard design for these plants, allowing for effective energy extraction from exhaust gases. The discussion highlights the challenges of using coal and the advantages of gas over coal in terms of operational efficiency and maintenance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Brayton and Rankine cycles
  • Knowledge of gas turbine design and operation
  • Familiarity with thermodynamics principles, particularly regarding efficiency limits
  • Awareness of coal combustion and its implications for turbine operation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research advancements in gas turbine materials and coatings for improved durability
  • Explore methodologies for enhancing efficiency in coal power plants
  • Investigate the differences between combined cycle and cogeneration systems
  • Study the operational challenges of coal versus gas fuel supply chains
USEFUL FOR

Energy engineers, power plant operators, and professionals involved in the design and optimization of thermal power generation systems.

  • #31
hi every1 ,
I'm trying to do the concept of a turbosteamer that the bmw is workking on but I'm facing few problems :
the flow rate of water will be 9 ml/s and of pressure 6 bars . based on htri xchanger program , the best design of my shell and tube heat xchanger will be of 22 cm diameter and 6.4 mm tube diameter where number of tubes will be 215 and the length will be around 0.5 meters.

my problem is how to allow this very low flow rater ( 9 ml/s) enter the 215 tubes equally ?

my 2nd problems is that i have no experience with microturbines , i need to know how to design that turbine, ihope you can help guys

thank you
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #32
This thread on gas turbines has pretty well run its course. I suggest you open a new thread on steam turbines, & maybe one on heat exchanges. Both of your questions are interesting.
 
Last edited:
  • #33
hehe we can just open it here :)
 
  • #34
This thread gained life of its own!
 
  • #35
Pkruse said:
But DOD is demanding & getting much longer overhaul intervals.

They are slowly (but slowly) getting more rational about their specifications, as well.

Time was when the engine specification for a military aircraft said very little except "the engines will operate normally over the full performance envelope of the aircraft". If the engine designer phoned somebody in the air force to try to undertand this better (this was in the era before email), the standard answer was "but we won't know what the performance envelope will be until we have flown the prototype". Face-palm...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
797
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 74 ·
3
Replies
74
Views
9K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K