EXERGY ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF IRREVERSIBILTY OF A THERMAL POWER PLANT

The exergy analysis and determination of irreversibility ((I)over dot) of a thermal power plant with 210 MW are presented in this study. The first-(eta(I)) and second-law (eta(II)) efficiencies, losses, and ((I)over dot) are computed for each component in the plant. The highest energy loss (43.538%) occurs with heat transfer to cooling water of the condenser, whereas the second loss (14.138%) occurs in the boiler. The highest ((I)over dot) value in the cycle (86.87%) occurs in the boiler followed by the turbine (5.95%). The eta(I) and eta(II) efficiencies of the whole plant are 38.64% and 31.68%, respectively. In addition, effects of the efficiencies in the temperature range from 5 degrees C to 30 degrees C are investigated. The eta(I) efficiency of the whole plant does not change, whereas the eta(II) efficiency decreases with increasing reference temperatures. In addition, the eta(II) efficiency is associated with environmental impact and sustainability