Research on solar aided coal-fired power generation system and performance analysis

Integrating solar power utilization systems with coal-fired power units, the solar aided coal-fired power generation (SACPG) shows a significant prospect for the large-scale utilization of solar energy and energy saving of thermal power units. The methods and mechanism of system integration were studied. The parabolic trough solar collectors were used to collect solar energy and the integration scheme of SACPG system was determined considering the matching of working fluid flows and energy flows. The thermodynamic characteristics of solar thermal power generation and their effects on the performance of thermal power units were studied, and based on this the integration and optimization model of system structure and parameters were built up. The integration rules and coupling mecha- nism of SACPG systems were summarized in accordance with simulation results. The economic analysis of this SACPG system showed that the solar LEC of a typical SACPG system, considering CO2 avoidance, is 0.098 $/kW·h, lower than that of SEGS, 0.14 $/kW·h.

Combining solar power with coal-fired power plants,or cofiring natural gas

Coal-fired power operators continue to look for ways to increase the efficiency and extend the working lives of their plants by improving operational flexibility and reducing environmental impact.Two possible options are explored here:combining solar energy with coal-fired power generation,and cofiring natural gas in coal-fired plants.Both techniques show potential.Depending on the individual circumstances,both can increase the flexibility of a power plant whilst reducing its emissions.In some cases,plant costs could also be reduced.Clearly,any solar-based system is limited geographically to locations that receive consistently high levels of solar radiation.Similarly,although many coal-fired plants already burn limited amounts of gas alongside their coal feed,for cofiring at a significant level,a reliable,affordable supply of natural gas is needed.This is not the case everywhere.But for each technology,there are niche and mainstream locations where the criteria can be met.The need for good solar radiation means that the uptake of coal-solar hybrids will be limited.Cofiring natural gas has wider potential:currently,the largest near-term market appears to be for application to existing coal-fired plants in the USA.However,where gas is available and affordable,potential markets also exist in some other countries.

Analysis of heat flow diagram of small-scale power generation system:Innovative approaches for improving techno-economic and ecological indices

In this paper,the heat flow diagram of steam turbine model K-6-35 has been analyzed for innovative approaches towards improving the techno-economic and ecological indices of the small-scale power generation system.The numerical analysis is performed using IPSEpro process simulation software based on heat balance method under four different cases.It was found that the study of Solar Assisted Power Generation(SAPG)system has important practical significance in power generation with minimum pollutants and maximum efficiency.Both fuel-saving(FS)and power-boosting(PB)operation modes of the SAPG system are considered.Various types of stand-alone solar thermal power plants exhibited very low overall efficiency with many ecological advantages compared to the conventional thermal power plant based on fossil fuels.Besides,SAPG system with FS mode presented higher techno-economic indices and operation performance.An important reduction in fuel consumption and pollutant emissions could be obtained with SAPG system.Considering the hourly,daily,monthly,and yearly amount of saved fuel and reduced pollutants in the whole power plant,the SAPG system with FS mode can largely contribute to high ecological indices power generation.A thermal efficiency increased by 1.31%with specific equivalent fuel consumption decreased by 22.54 g/kWh was obtained with SAPG system.The coal consumption was reduced by 4.75%when SAPG system operates in FS mode.