Comparison of thermal repowering alternatives for thermal power plants

Abstract

In this study, thermal repowering alternatives were compared in terms of net installed power, net electrical efficiency, emissions, and unit electricity generation costs. Soma A thermal power plant with 2 × 22 MWe capacity, was simulated in Thermoflex with design parameters. Three different repowering alternatives were simulated to compare the results; feedwater heating, hot windbox, and parallel repowering. According to the results, net power and net electrical efficiency were increased. Total CO2 mass flow rate was also increased; however, CO2 mass flow rate per installed capacity was sharply decreased. Therefore, repowering of old thermal power plants can be a short term solution in decreasing the CO2 emissions while the electricity demand increasing continuously.