Study of the effect of using duct burner on the functional parameters of the two repowered cycles through exergy analysis

Abstract

Steam power plants have been extensively used in Iran for a long time, yet no specific step has been taken for promoting their performance. In this regard, full repowering is considered as a way to enhance the performance of steam power plants. Furthermore, because of the continental condition of Iran, duct burners can be used as a common strategy to compensate for power generation shortage caused by environmental conditions. In this study, the effect of using a duct burner on the full repowering of Be'sat Steam Cycle representing both single-and dual- pressure cycles was investigated based on exergy analysis. The results showed that by using the duct burner, due to the increase in the heat recovery steam generator inlet gas temperature, the general thermal efficiency of the combined cycle and the exergy efficiency of the combined cycle and heat recovery steam generator decreased. However, the results revealed an increase in the stack temperature and resulting exergy losses, steam flow and power generation.