Off-design performance of power plants: an integrated gasification combined-cycle example

Area of Science:

• Energy Systems Engineering
• Thermodynamics
• Power Plant Operations

Background:

• Fossil-fueled power plants frequently operate at reduced capacity, leading to significant economic losses in fuel and capital costs.
• This off-design operation is a common issue in the power generation industry, impacting overall efficiency and profitability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the reasons behind off-design operation in fossil-fueled power plants.
• To highlight the importance of considering off-design performance during the design and selection of new power plants.
• To demonstrate the utility of computer simulations in optimizing power plant design and reducing operational costs.

Main Methods:

• Reviewing literature and case studies on power plant operational data.
• Utilizing computer simulations to model the off-design performance of coal gasification combined-cycle (CGCC) power plants.
• Analyzing simulation results to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Main Results:

• Off-design operation significantly increases fuel and capital expenditures for fossil-fueled power plants.
• Computer simulations provide valuable insights into the off-design performance characteristics of power plants.
• Simulations of CGCC plants indicate potential for cost reduction in both construction and operation.

Conclusions:

• Understanding and simulating off-design performance is crucial for efficient power plant design and selection.
• Advanced simulation techniques can lead to more cost-effective and optimized power plant operations.
• The findings support the integration of off-design performance analysis into the power plant engineering workflow.