Thermodynamics lab

Project :
Exergy Analysis of Rankine cycle and
steam turbine power plant

Submitted to: Prof. Talha khan

Submitted by: 2015-ME-05

2015-ME-06
2015-ME-07
2015-ME-08
Contents:
1. Exergy
1.1 Introduction to exergy
1.2 Energy vs Exergy
1.3 What is Exergy analysis?
1.4 Exergy destruction equation
2. Rankine Cycle
2.1 Ideal rankine cycle
2.2 Actual rankine cycle
2.3 Exergy analysis of actual rankine cycle
3. Steam Turbine power plants
3.1 Explanation of considered model of steam turbine power plant
3.2 Exergy analysis of considered model
4. Works cited

Work Description:
Performance evaluation through energy analysis do not take
irreversibilities within the systems into account. Exergy analysis gives us
locations (components/systems) where energy conversion processes
can be improved. Exergy analysis of rankine cycle and steam turbine
power plant is performed and exergy destruction and exergy
efficiencies are evaluated.
1.1 Introduction to Exergy
It is defined officially as:
“The maximum useful work which can be extracted from a system as it
comes into equilibrium with environment”

Or
“Capacity of energy to do physical work”
The reference (environment) is given zero exergy value (dead state).
Energy analysis (first law analysis) of a thermodynamic system treats
different forms of energies as equivalent and does not distinguish them
on basis of quality, leaving us with the proposal that mechanical and
thermal energies are of same quality, however, this is not correct.
Hence exergy analysis is performed not only to quantify sources of
inefficiencies in a system but also to indicate quality of energy
consumption.

1.2 Energy vs Exergy

Difference/relation between the two terms can be understood by following
points:
a) Exergy is measure of energy quality
Quality, by convention, is the ease of translating a certain energy type into
mechanical work. However, ease of transport, energy density, environmental
effect are also included in this domain.
e.g converting electrical energy to heat energy has 100% 1st law efficiency but
only 5% 2nd law efficiency
b) Unlike energy, exergy is destroyed in every
transformation process
In real life processes, small amount of energy converts into waste heat
and total input energy is equal to useful energy plus this waste heat.
Exergy corresponds to useful work and since a little amount of energy is
wasted as heat, and is irreversible and couldn’t be used to perform
work, hence exergy is destroyed in transformation process.

c) Exergy is define relative to environment

Exergy corresponds to energy flow and depends on environmental
characteristics as temperature, gravitational pull, electrical potential
etc. It is actually the magnitude of difference between thermodynamic
system and environment that determines the exergy.

1.3 What is Exergy analysis?

Energy analysis or determining first law efficiency is simply calculating the ratio:

1st law efficiency = Useful energy output / Total energy input

However this doesn’t take into account the loss of quality of energy. To take this
into account second law efficiency is calculated as:

2nd law efficiency = Min energy input / Actual energy input

OR
ƞexergy = Exergy output / Exergy input

Also, energy analysis includes calculating the energy losses in each

component in the units Joules/Kilojoules. This loss is usually in form of
heat energy and therefore results in increase in entropy. The increase
in entropy is directly propotional to loss of exergy (loss of quality in
simpler terms) and is referred as exergy destruction called “anergy”. Its
measured in same units as of energy (Joules/Kilojoules).

The exergy analysis refers to the process of finding 2nd law efficiency
and exergy destruction for each component involved in a
thermodynamic system or of whole system.

1.4 Exergy destruction equation

By Ist Law of thermodynamics:
2
𝐸2 − 𝐸1 = ∫1 𝑑𝑄 − 𝑊 (1)

By 2nd Law of thermodynamics:

2
𝑑𝑄
𝑆2 − 𝑆1--- − ∫ = 𝑆gen
1 𝑇

or,
2 𝑑𝑄
𝑇o(𝑆2 − 𝑆1) − 𝑇o ∫1 [ ] = 𝑇o𝑆gen (2)
𝑇

Subtracting Eq. (2) from Eq. (1), we get,

2 2
𝑑𝑄
(𝑆 )
𝐸2 − 𝐸1 − 𝑇o 2 − 𝑆1 = ∫ 𝑑𝑄 − 𝑊 − 𝑇o ∫ [ ] − 𝑇o𝑆gen
1 1 𝑇

Now, Defining availability function as

 𝐴 = 𝐸 + 𝑝o𝑉 − 𝑇o𝑆

∴ 𝐴2 − 𝐴1 = 𝐸2 − 𝐸1 + 𝑝o(𝑉2 − 𝑉1) − 𝑇o(𝑆2 − 𝑆1)

2
𝑇o
= ∫ [1 − ] 𝑑𝑄 − 𝑊 − 𝑇o𝑆gen + 𝑝o(𝑉2 − 𝑉1)
1 𝑇

2
𝑇o
= ∫ [1 − ] 𝑑𝑄 − [𝑊 − 𝑝o(𝑉2 − 𝑉1)] − 𝑇o𝑆gen
1 𝑇
2
𝑇o
𝐴2 − 𝐴1 = ∫ [1 − ] 𝑑𝑄 − [𝑊 − 𝑝o(𝑉2 − 𝑉1)] − 𝑇o𝑆gen
1 𝑇

In the form of rate equation,

𝑑𝐴 𝑇o 𝑑𝑉
= ∑ [1 − ] 𝑄̇ j- [𝑊̇ − 𝑝o ] − 𝐼 ̇
𝑑𝑡 𝑇j 𝑑𝑡
𝑗
↑ Rate of change of exergy ↑ Rate of exergy loss
𝑑𝑉
where, Tj instantaneous temperature at boundary and rate of
𝑑𝑡
change of system volume.

Now for an open system (control volume) and steady state this
equation would become:
𝑇o
0 = ∑ [1 − ] 𝑄̇j − 𝑊̇ cv + ∑ 𝑚̇i𝑒fi − ∑ 𝑚̇e𝑒fe − 𝐼 ̇
𝑇j
𝑗 𝑖 𝑒
where efi and efe is the exergy flow in and exergy flow out of the open
system
and is:
𝑣2
𝑒f = (ℎ − ℎo) − 𝑇o(𝑆 − 𝑆o) + + 𝑔𝑧
2
usually there is only one heat transferring sink-source combination,
one inlet and one outlet and mass flow rate is same , so these
equations become:
𝑇o
0 = [1 − ] 𝑄̇ − 𝑊̇ cv + 𝑚̇(𝑒f1 − 𝑒f2) − İ (3)
𝑇b

𝑣22 −𝑣12
where 𝑒f2 − 𝑒f1 = (ℎ2 − ℎ1) − 𝑇o(𝑆2 − 𝑆1) + 2
+ 𝑔(𝑧2 − 𝑧1) (4)

2.1 Ideal Rankine Cycle

The ideal theoretical vapor cycle for STPP is Rankine cycle.The ideal
cycle does not involve any irreversibility and consists of the following
four processes:
1-2 Isentropic compression in pump
2-3 Isobaric heat addition in boiler
3-4 Isentropic expansion in turbine
4-1 Isobaric heat rejection in condenser

Simple Rankine cycle T-S diagram for ideal Rankine cycle

1-2 on T-s diagram shows the saturated liquid being pumped and
compressed isentropically to working pressure of boiler and in the
process raising the temperature of water.
2-3 shows the compressed liquid entering the boiler, then being
heated to saturated liquid phase, mixed phase,saturated steam and all
the way to point 3 i.e superheated state.
3-4 represents the superheated steam expanding isentropically in
turbine to produce work.Pressure and Temperature of steam drops at
this stage.
4-1 shows the saturated liquid with high quality entering the
pump and completing the cycle.

2.2 Deviation of actual cycle from ideal cycle

Irreversibilities in different components result in deviation of actual

cycle from ideal cycle.The irreversibilties are due to fluid friction and
heat loss to surroundings.The pump requires greater power input to
overcome pressure drops in boiler, condenser and piping.Also the
steam generator needs to heat the steam to higher degree than
predicted by ideal cycle due to heat losses in various components
specially in turbines and pumps as real life conditions are non-
isentropic. Effect of all these factors is depicted below, in combined T-S
diagram of actual and ideal cycle
2.3 Exergy analysis of actual rankine cycle
Exergy analysis of actual rankine cycle is performed below by applying
Eq (3) and Eq (4) to each component individually and determining the
expressions for exergy destruction in each component and exergy
efficiency for each component.

Process 1-2 or component:Pump

In pump, there is no heat exhange flow, no velocity changes or height
changes but a positive work input , so the equations (3) and (4) reduce
to form:
𝑇o ̇ 𝑣in2 − 𝑣out 2
̇
𝐼 pump = [1 − ̇
] 𝑄 + 𝑊 pump + 𝑚̇ [(ℎin − ℎout) − 𝑇o(𝑆in − 𝑆out) + ]
𝑇b 2

and 2nd law efficiency is:

𝑇
̇
𝐼 pump+
o
[1 − 𝑇 ] 𝑄̇
b
ƞex,pump = 1-
𝑊̇ pump
Process 2-3 or component: Boiler
In boiler , there is no work input/output , no velocity changes and
negligible height changes so the equations (3) and (4) reduce to form:
𝑇o
̇
𝐼 boiler = [1 − ] 𝑄̇ + 𝑚̇[(ℎin − ℎout) − 𝑇o(𝑆in − 𝑆out)]
𝑇b

and,
𝑇o
̇
𝐼 boiler+ [1 − 𝑇 ] 𝑄̇
b
ƞex,boiler = 1-
𝑚̇𝑒fin
Process 3-4 or component: Turbine
In turbine, there is work output and no height changes so the equations
(3) and (4) are reduced to form:
𝑇o 𝑣in2 − 𝑣out 2
̇
𝐼 Turbine = [1 − ] 𝑄̇ + 𝑚̇ [(ℎin − ℎout) − 𝑇o(𝑆in − 𝑆out) + ] − 𝑊̇
𝑇b 2
and,
𝑇o
̇
𝐼 turbine+ [1 − ] 𝑄̇
𝑇b
ƞex,Turbine = 1-
𝑚̇𝑒fin − 𝑚̇𝑒fout

Process 4-1 or component: Condenser

In conderser, there is no work input/output , and no height changes or
velocity changes , so equations (3) and (4) are reduced to form:
𝑇o
̇
𝐼 Condenser = [1 − ] 𝑄̇ + 𝑚̇[(ℎin − ℎout) − 𝑇o(𝑆in − 𝑆out)]
𝑇b
and,
𝑇
̇
𝐼 Condenser+
o
[1 − 𝑇 ] 𝑄̇
b
ƞex,Conderser = 1-
𝑚̇𝑒fin + 𝑊condenser

3.1 Explanation of considered model of STPP

(NOTE: The information cited below from this point are taken from
the paper written by “Isam H. Aljundi” , Titled “Energy and exergy
analysis of a steam power plant in Jordan” under DOI
“10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.02.029”.
Any reference to the following part of this work, must be given
towards the above mentioned content writer. )
The power plant has a total installed power capacity of 396 MW. The
power house consists of seven steam turbines units (3 × 33 + 4 × 66)
MW and two gas turbines (1 × 14 + 1 × 19) MW at 100% load. The
power plant uses heavy fuel oil. This unit employs regenerative feed
water heating system. Feed water heating is carried out in two stages
of high pressure heaters (HPH1, HPH2) and two stages of low pressure
heaters (LPH4, LPH5)The schematic diagram of one 66 MW unit is
shown below.Steam is superheated to 793 K and 9.12 MPa in the steam
generator and fed to the turbine.
 3.2 Analysis of considered unit

The power plant was analyzed using the above relations noting that the
environment reference temperature and pressure are 298.15 K and
101.3 kPa, respectively and following tables of the thermodynamic
properties of water and air at indicated nodes in figure above , energy
balance and exergy balance and are summarized in tables below.

Thermodynamic properties at nodes:

Point T P 𝑚̇ h S ef 𝐼̇
(K) (MPa) (ton/h) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (MW)

1 618.55 2.4231 17.80 3118.1 6.8419 1082.748 5.354

2 547.85 1.3244 14.92 2986.9 6.8835 939.145 3.892
3 463.65 0.5690 16.40 2831.4 6.9511 763.490 3.478
4 394.35 0.2060 13.96 2707.7 7.1173 590.238 2.289
5 360.45 0.0628 6.39 2655.2 7.5169 418.597 0.743
6 343.15 0.0272 204.9 2626.9 7.8193 300.136 17.08
7 339.95 0.0272 204.9 279.66 0.9158 11.151 0.635
8 339.75 0.0270 226.0 278.82 0.9134 11.045 0.693
9 341.15 1.3734 226.0 285.79 0.9299 13.113 0.823
10 337.60 0.0245 21.10 269.81 0.8868 9.959 0.058
11 356.15 0.0536 226.0 347.61 1.1111 20.896 1.312
12 362.45 0.0687 13.96 374.09 1.1848 25.403 0.099
13 390.15 0.1815 226.0 491.08 1.4954 49.787 3.126
14 428.15 0.6867 275.0 653.88 1.8922 94.281 7.202
15 430.15 12.263 275.0 669.49 1.8991 107.834 8.237
16 436.15 0.6671 32.70 688.52 1.9725 104.980 0.954
17 461.45 10.791 275.0 804.43 2.2056 151.391 11.56
18 466.15 2.3544 17.80 821.28 2.2626 151.246 0.74
19 494.15 10.301 275.0 950.46 2.5124 205.949 15.7
20 793.15 9.1233 275.0 3436.3 6.7168 1438.247 109
Input air 298.15 0.1013 23,90 424.54 3.8814 0.000 0.00
Output air 318.15 0.1013 23,90 444.68 3.9468 0.647 4.294
Dead state 298.15 0.1013 – 104.92 0.3672 0.000 –

The energy balance of the unit is given below. Thermal efficiency of the
unit is 26%. 66% of total input energy is wasted in condenser and only
6% in boiler. The 1st law efficiency of boiler shows it to be more ideal
and of condenser shows it to be very non ideal. However it doesn’t take
into account the quality of energy destroyed, which is depicted by 2nd
law efficiency coming next.

Energy balance:

Component Heat loss (kW) Percent ratio

Condenser 133,597 65.97%
Net power 53,321 26.33%
Boiler 12,632 6.24%
Piping 1665 0.82%
Heaters 856 0.42%
Turbine 452 0.22%
Total 202,523 100%

The exergy balance for the unit is now given below. It can be seen that
exergy destruction rate for boiler is 77% while for condenser is only 9%.
Which shows that the processes occuring in boiler are most irreversible
while in condenser are closer to ideal and deviate little as compared to
boiler.
Exergy balance ,exergy destruction percentage and exergy efficiency
percentages are given below

Component Exergy Percent exergy Percent exergy efficiency

destruction destruction %
(MW) %
Boiler 120.540 76.75 43.8
Turbine 20.407 12.99 73.5
Condenser 13.738 8.75 26.4
Boiler pumps 0.220 0.14 82.5
CRT pump 0.331 0.21 28.2
HPH1 0.438 0.28 97.4
HPH2 0.359 0.23 97.2
Deaerator 0.355 0.23 95.3
LPH4 0.377 0.24 89.5
LPH5 0.295 0.19 67.3
Power cycle 157.059 100.00 24.8

The exergy efficiency of the plant is 24.8% , which is low and depicts
tremendous opputunities for improvement.
4. Works cited
1. Paper by “D. MITROVIC” , Titled “Energy and Exergy Analysis of
a 348.5 MW Steam Power Plant” , DOI “10.1080/15567030903097012”

2. Paper by “A. Rashad” , Titled “Energy and Exergy Analysis of a Steam

Power Plant in Egypt”

3. Paper by “Isam H. Aljundi” , Titled “Energy and exergy analysis of a

steam power plant in Jordan”,DOI
“10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2008.02.029”

4. Paper by “PJMago and LMChamra” , Titled “Exergy analysis of a

combined engine-organic
Rankine cycle configuration” , DOI “10.1243/09576509JPE642”

5. Paper by “Yamini Verma, Kalpit P. Kaurase” , Titled “EXERGY

ANALYSIS OF THERMAL POWER PLANT” , “ISSN 2277-2685”

6. Paper by “Francis Chinweuba Eboh, Peter Ahlström and Tobias

Richards” , Titled “Exergy Analysis of Solid Fuel-Fired Heat and Power
Plants: A Review” , DOI “10.3390/en10020165”

7. Paper by “ Suresh Baral, Dokyun Kim, Eunkoo Yun and Kyung Chun
Kim” , Titled “Energy, Exergy and Performance Analysis of Small-Scale
Organic Rankine Cycle Systems for Electrical Power Generation
Applicable in Rural Areas of Developing Countries” , DOI “
10.3390/en8020684”