Thermal and Economic Assessment of Cooling Technologies in a Combined Cycle Power Plant: A Case Study Bandar Abbas Hengam Power Plant

Abstract

Abstract

The present study examined the Bandar Abbas Hengam combined cycle power plant (CCPP) equipped with a three-pressure heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) with reheat. Fogging and absorption chiller systems were used to improve power plant performance. The proposed power plant was simulated using the Thermoflow software and the GT PRO module. This research assessed the power plant’s thermal and economic performance in warm months (March–October), with and without cooling systems. The technical and economic simulation results were extracted using Thermoflow and COMFAR software. The energy analysis results indicated that the absorption chiller is the best alternative for boosting the power production capacity. However, the cycle without a cooling system was found to have the highest thermal efficiency. On the other hand, the economic analysis results demonstrated that the highest net present value (NPV) 638.27 Billion Rials ($1.06 Million) was obtained for the combined cycle with the absorption chiller cooling system, which also had an internal rate of return (IRR) of 43.65%. The next highest NPV 633.35 Billion Rials ($1.05 Million) was obtained for the combined cycle with the fogging cooling system, which had an IRR of 44.09%. Finally, the combined cycle without a cooling system had an NPV of 586.27 Billion Rials ($0.98 Million) and an IRR of 43.3%. Therefore, for short-term investment and quick returns, fogging is most economical due to its higher IRR. For long-term investment focused on maximizing net value, the absorption chiller is more viable.