Exergy Efficiency Optimization for Gas Turbine Based Cogeneration Systems

Energy degradation can be calculated by the quantification of entropy and loss of work and is a common approach in power plant performance analysis. Information about the location, amount and sources of system deficiencies are determined by the exergy analysis, which quantifies the exergy destruction. Micro-gas turbines are prime movers that are ideally suited for cogeneration applications due to their flexibility in providing stable and reliable power. This paper presents an exergy analysis by means of a numerical simulation of a regenerative micro-gas turbine for cogeneration applications. The main objective is to study the best configuration of each system component, considering the minimization of the system irreversibilities. Each component of the system was evaluated considering the quantitative exergy balance. Subsequently the optimization procedure was applied to the mathematical model that describes the full system. The rate of irreversibility, efficiency and flaws are highlighted for each system component and for the whole system. The effect of turbine inlet temperature change on plant exergy destruction was also evaluated. The results disclose that considerable exergy destruction occurs in the combustion chamber. Also, it was revealed that the exergy efficiency is expressively dependent on the changes of the turbine inlet temperature and increases with the latter.