Thermodynamic Analysis of Closed Loop Cooled Cycles

Abstract

Closed loop steam cooling schemes have been proposed by a number of manufacturers for advanced Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant (see for example Corman (1996) and Briesch et al. (1994)) asserting that thermal efficiencies in excess of 60% (LHV) are achievable combined with significant improvements of ∼15% in specific power (see Corman (1995)). In understanding the efficiency advantage however, the relative performance of each cooling system (subject to the same practical constraints and technology levels) is a better indicator then the absolute value. Assessment of the performance of such novel schemes generally involves a detailed numerical analysis of an integrated cycle which may often prevent validation of the results or obscure an understanding of the physical basis for the claimed improvements. Here, to overcome this, a group of simplified expressions are defined for the variation of each cycles efficiency due to cooling which show where the differences come from. These expressions are based simply on a calculation of the marginal increase in heat rejected, to the environment from the cycle, due to an increase in the level of cooling. After these relationships are validated using detailed heat balance calculations they are used to compare the main cooling options, namely open loop air, closed loop air and closed loop steam when subject to the same practical constraints and assumptions. Based on these results it is proposed that the relative advantage of closed loop cooling may not be as significant as previously thought. Furthermore, it is shown that the closed loop cooling efficiency gain is heavily dependent on the performance and reliability of substantial Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs). Finally, although the majority of recent interest in closed loop cooling schemes has focused upon CCGT plant, there are other systems where the benefits of closed loop steam cooling appear to be greater, in particular cycles involving steam injected gas turbines. Such a cycle is analysed here with a number of advanced cooling options.