Thermo-economic analysis of a solar combined cycle with Brayton, Kalina, and organic Rankine cycle

摘要

The power from the sun intercepted by the Earth is approximately 1.8 × 10~(11)MW, which can be harnessed by solar thermal cycles. The objective is to determine whether from thermo-economic point of view the combined cycle (CC) with Brayton cycle (BC), Kalina cycle (KC), and organic Rankine cycle (ORC) are feasible or not. The highest thermal efficiency (η) and installation cost per unit kW (ICPUK) of CC is observed to be about 74.273 and 2.109 kW/k$ for each component of pressure inlet to the turbines (p_(x)) at 3.2 bar and a value of mass flow rate (m_(x)) of sub-cycles as 5 kg/s, 5 kg/s, and 4 kg/s, respectively. The conclusion drawn from the above study suggests using BC and KC in CC and inhibits the use of ORC. Also, thermo-economically ORC should not be used for higher values of Q?_(pro), lower values of ?, and higher values of p_(x).