Techno-economic analysis of combined cycle power plant with waste heat-driven adsorption inlet air cooling system

In order to increase the performance and power output of the conventional combined cycle power plant (CCPP), a CCPP-AdCS (adsorption cooling system) with a maximum cooling capacity of 6000 kW is proposed in the present study. A model for CCPP simulation is developed, and it is validated through practical data. The thermal performance and economic analysis of the proposed CCPP-AdCS are evaluated. The results reveal that the CCPPAdCS has the largest desorption and cooling capacity when the desorption temperature is 60 degrees C, and the maximum cooling degree of the inlet air is 8.73 degrees C. Compared to the CCPP, the power output can be significantly improved by the CCPP-AdCS. The maximum power output augmentation is 22.72 MW in July when the desorption temperature is 60 degrees C. By comparing to the existing literature, the CCPP-AdCS shows higher energy efficiency increment than CCPPs that integrated with absorption cooling system or mechanical cooling system. The payback time (PBT) of the CCPP-AdCS is only 2.34 years when the CCPP-AdCS is operated at a desorption temperature of 60 degrees C.

Automated summary

The proposed CCPP-AdCS with a maximum cooling capacity of 6000 kW is able to achieve the largest desorption and cooling capacity at 60 degrees Celsius. Compared to traditional CCPP, CCPP-AdCS can significantly improve power output and has higher energy efficiency increment.