Exergoenvironomic modelling and performance assessment of selected gas turbine power plants

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to use an environomics method to assess the environmental impacts of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach In this study, exergoenvironomic analysis has been carried out to investigate the environmental impact of selected gas turbine power plants in Nigeria from an exergetic point of view. Findings The exergy analysis reveals that the combustion chamber is the most exergy destructive component compared to other cycle components. The exergy destruction of this component can be reduced by increasing gas turbine inlet temperature (GTIT). The results of the study show that thermodynamic inefficiency is responsible for the environmental impact associated with gas turbine components. The study further shows that CO2 emissions and cost of environmental impact decrease with increasing GTIT. Originality/value The exergo-environomic parameters computed in this study are CO2 emission in kg per MWh of electricity generated, depletion number, sustainability index, cost flow rate of environmental impacts (Ċenv) in $/h and total cost rates of products (ĊTot) in $/hr. For the period considered, the CO2 emissions for the selected plants vary from 100.18 to 408.78 kgCO2/MWhm, while cost flow rate of environmental impacts varies from $40.18 /h to $276.97 /h and the total cost rates of products vary from $2935.69/h to $12,232.84/h. The depletion number and sustainability index vary from 0.69 to 0.84 and 1.20 to 1.44, respectively.

Performance of Gas Turbine Power Plant with Evaporative Air Pre-Cooler System Using Energy and Exergy Concept

“…In addition, the analysis can quantify the heat quality in a waste stream. In addition, Oyedepo et al [3] define exergy as a means of assessing and comparing the reservoir of theoretically extractable work that we call energy resources. Resources are either matter or energy with properties that differ from the prevailing environmental conditions.…”