Parametric Analysis of the Kalina Cycle

Abstract

The Kalina Cycle utilizes a mixture of ammonia and water as the working fluid in a vapor power cycle. When the liquid mixture is heated the more volatile ammonia tends to vaporize first and at a lower temperature than does pure water. This property of ammonia-water mixtures makes possible a better match to the enthalpy-temperature curve of a hot gas heat source such as a gas turbine exhaust and also permits circulation of fluids of different composition in different parts of the cycle. Taking advantage of the latter feature, condensation (absorption) can be done at slightly above atmospheric pressure with a low concentration of ammonia, while heat input is at a higher concentration for optimum cycle performance. Computer models have been used to optimize a simplified form of the cycle and to compare results for a more complex version proposed by El-Sayed and Tribus. A method of balancing the cycle was developed and key parameters for optimizing the cycle identified.

Heat recovery from Diesel engines: A thermodynamic comparison between Kalina and ORC cycles

“…Performance evaluation is conducted in [14], by considering the heat recovery of about 3.0 MW from a hot gas source at 550 • C, simulating gas turbine exhausts. The Author assumes a thermodynamic cycle evaporation pressure of 100 bar and an inlet turbine temperature of 500 • C. The turbine efficiency is assumed 90% and the availability of condensation water at 15 • C is also supposed.…”

A comparison of advanced heat recovery power cycles in a combined cycle for large ships

“…The rich stream (18) is then mixed with stream (10) before it is condensed again. As described by Marston [19], a key component in the cycle is the separator. To obtain maximum power, the stream running through the turbine (4), needs to be as ammonia rich as possible and at the same time the outlet pressure needs to be as low as possible.…”

Part-load performance of a high temperature Kalina cycle

“…It was therefore only possible to validate the Kalina cycle models with the results from previously published modelling results. Only Marston [15] provides all the modelling assumptions and results in order to make a proper validation. The layout investigated by Marston [15] is what was referred to as KC234 in Modi and Haglind [22].…”

“…Since its , for waste heat recovery [4][5][6][7], for exhaust heat recovery in a gas turbine modular helium reactor [8], in combined heat and power plants [9,10], coupled with a coal-fired steam power plant for exhaust heat recovery [11], as a part of Brayton-Rankine-Kalina triple cycle [12], and in solar power plants [13,14]. For high temperature applications, the Kalina cycles have been investigated to be used as gas turbine bottoming cycles [15][16][17][18], for industrial 15 waste heat recovery, biomass based cogeneration and gas engine waste heat recovery [19], for direct-fired cogeneration applications [20], and in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants [21,22]. There have been discussions regarding the feasibility of using ammonia-water mixtures at high temperatures due to the nitridation effect resulting in the corrosion of the equipment.…”

“…The turbine TUR was solved first to obtain the state at the turbine outlet. Assuming a condenser pressure for the condenser CD2, the mass flow rates were then obtained using a simplified configuration as presented by Marston [15]. With respect to the mass flow rates at different points in the cycle, the entire cycle can be represented by the 120 simplified layout as shown in Fig.…”