Chapter 8 Combined Power Plant

Er. Khem Gyanwali Lecturer

 Combined gas and steam (COGAS) is the name

given to marine compound power plants comprising gas and steam turbines, the latter being driven by steam generated using the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbines. In this way, some of the otherwise lost energy can be reclaimed and the specific fuel consumption of the plant can be decreased. Large (land-based) electric power plants built using this combined cycle can reach conversion efficiencies of over 58%. If the turbines do not drive a propeller shafts directly and instead a turbo-electric transmission is used, the system is also known as COGES.

 COGAS differs from many other combined marine

propulsion systems in that it is not intended to operate on one system alone. While this is possible, it will not operate efficiently this way, as with Combined diesel and gas systems when run solely on diesel engines. Especially COGAS should not be confused with Combined steam and gas (COSAG) power plants, which employ traditional, oil-fired boilers for steam turbine propulsion for normal cruising, and supplement this with gas turbines for faster reaction times and higher dash speed.

 COGAS has been proposed as upgrade for ships that use

gas turbines as their main (or only) engines, e.g. in COGOG or COGAG mode, such as the Arleigh Burke class destroyers, but currently no naval ship uses this concept. However some modern cruise ships are equipped with COGES. E.g. Celebrity Cruises' Millennium and other ships of her class use turbo-electric plants with two General Electric LM2500+ gas turbines and one steam-turbine.
BMW is currently researching combined gas and steam for

automotive use, using their turbosteamer system. This uses the waste heat of combustion from the exhaust and turns it into steam to produce torque which is input into the crankshaft.

Maximum flexibility: Combined-cycle power plants

In terms of efficiency and environmental impact, the combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) is considered the ideal conventional plant. Its operational flexibility allows rapid start-ups, minimal shut-down times and fast and efficient adjustment to varying load demands. The operational flexibility of modern CCPPs is especially suited for grids that have to accommodate fluctuating amounts of energy supply.

The advantages of combined-cycle power plants at a glance

Flexibility: plant size from 75 to 1,200 megawatts Efficiency: Plant efficiency approaches 60 percent; state of the art

solutions Sustainability: Environmental friendly to match the both clients and governmental requirements Individuality: Engineers optimized plant configurations and design to suit the clients requirements Compatible with various geographical locations

 High Thermal Efficiency Low Installed Cost Fuel Flexibility Wide Range of Gas and Liquid Fuels Low Operation and Maintenance Cost Operating Flexibility Base, Mid-range, Daily Start

High Reliability
High Availability Short Installation Time

High Efficiency in Small Capacity

Increments

Combined cycle power plants have proved to enhance power generation efficiency rate. By installing HRSG boilers and steam turbine in the open cycle power plants, the efficiency of the power plant increases significantly. The history of combined cycle power plants has been relatively short compared to the more than 100 years of electric power generation by coal fired steam turbine plants. However, combined cycles power plants provide excellent performance especially when burning natural gas.

But even if natural gas would become scarce, gasification combined cycle power plants can be utilized to burn lower quality fuels, e.g. nearly any grade of coal, refinery residues, biomass, waste or oil shale.

The STAG combined-cycle product line, including power generation systems and thermal energy and power systems ranging from 60 MW to 750 MW, are efficient, low-cost systems that meet the environmental requirements of all countries. The GE combined cycle EEP provides assurance of satisfying performance and operating objectives while allowing a customized plant that incorporates the owners practices and preferences. The attractive economics, reliability, and operating flexibility of these systems recommend their consideration for all power generation applications.

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