Thermoexergetic analysis and multi-objective optimization of steam power plant performances

Abstract

This study explores the performance of steam power
plants through the use of Response Surface Methodology (RSM),
which offers a more thorough multi-objective optimization
compared to traditional methods that might analyze parameters
independently. The thermodynamic simulations are conducted by
the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program for distinct
parameters such as inlet temperature (350≤T3≤600°C), boiler
pressure (5000≤P3≤15000kPa), and condenser pressure
(5≤T1≤15 kPa). A centered composite design (CCD) with process
parameters was used for statistical analysis. A second-order
regression model was developed to correlate the process
parameters with thermal efficiency (ηI), exergetic efficiency (ηII),
vapor quality (X), and specific fuel consumption (SFC). A
better determination coefficient (R2
) was attained with the
quadratic model, which showed 99.88%, 99.85%, 99.44%, and
99.80% for ηI, ηII, X, and SFC, respectively. Hence, numerical
and graphical optimization was conducted operating the
desirability function approach to get the suitable input variables
to deliver the highest thermal and exergetic efficiencies with
maximum vapor quality and minimal specific fuel consumption
rate.