Power Plant Cycles: Evolution towards More Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Technologies

Abstract

The scarcity of energy and water resources and rising temperatures due to climate change has set the focus on improving the energy efficiency of power plant thermodynamic cycles to adapt to higher heat sink temperatures and use fewer resources for energy production. In this work, a review of power production thermodynamic cycles is presented: from Brayton to Rankine and combined cycles, alongside particular cycles such as Organic Rankine Cycles, Kalina, Goswami or the more recently developed Hygroscopic Cycle. The efficiency of these cycles and their possible improvements are considered, as well as their environmental impact. Costs associated with existing power plants found in the literature have also been included in the study. The main existing facilities for each cycle type are assessed, and the most sustainable options in terms of resource consumption (fuel, water, etc.) and future perspectives to ensure both their energy efficiency and sustainability are identified.

Thermoeconomic analysis and environmental impact assessment of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant

“…The energy efficiencies of the equipment were calculated as 35.34% for the evaporator, 98% for the turbine, 54.66% for the condenser and 70.44% for the pump. This energy efficiency value is within the range of the values provided in [13], and the exergy efficiency value is in concordance with the values provided in [39]. When we look at the evaporator and condenser in the plant, it is seen that they have lower energy efficiency than the other equipment.…”

“…If not properly managed, it is released into the environment, contributing to global warming. The literature research has identified several areas of use for waste heat, including district heating systems [2,3,67], greenhouses [4], industrial processes and process heating [3], thermal energy storage [5,6], seawater desalination [7][8][9][10], cooling systems and cold storage [10], agriculture and aquaculture [3], direct conversion of thermal energy into electrical current [11], and generating electricity (ORC) [12,13]. This text will discuss recent studies on some important issues related to these areas.…”

“…Although historically fossil fuels have been the main heat source, it is not difficult to find Rankine cycles in which the heat source is the combustion of a nuclear fuel, of biomass or even the result of concentrating solar power [13]. The ideal Rankine cycle for nuclear power plants and the organic ideal Rankine cycle play an important role for efficient conversion of thermal energy and generation of electrical power.…”

“…Both the ideal Rankin cycle and the organic ideal Rankin cycle help to make more efficient use of thermal energy resources in nuclear power plants, while contributing to minimizing environmental impacts [18]. Although historically fossil fuels have been the main heat source, it is not difficult to find Rankine cycles in which the heat source is the combustion of a nuclear fuel, of biomass or even the result of concentrating solar power [13]. Although there are many publications on the subject, a few studies that are relevant to our study will be presented here.…”

“…Meana-Fernández et al [13] discussed the evolution toward sustainability and environmentally friendly technologies in power generation processes. The study highlights the importance of transitioning from traditional steam and gas turbine cycles to the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), Kalina Cycle and other innovative cycles that are more efficient and have less impact on the environment.…”