An Energy Analysis of Rayalaseema Thermal (Coal Based) Power Plant

Non-Renewable Energy resources dwindling and Renewable Energy technologies still in their infant stage, there is an ever increasing need for economic use of the left fossil fuel resources. Thermal energy being the life blood of world, it is essential that thermal power plants are analyzed for their energy economy. Energy analysis based on the First Law of Thermodynamics had been found insufficient and hence the Exergy analysis based on the Second Law of Thermodynamics came into picture. Keeping this in view and with the observation that Second Law of Thermodynamics and Exergy are two of the most neglected and hence less understood concepts among students, a project on Exergy analysis was undertaken. Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project located in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh was the subject of Exergy analysis. The capacity of the plant is 5 210 MW. As a part of analysis, the power plant was simplified into subsystems and the locations of exergy losses were traced. Irreversibilities at each sub-system were studied and quantities of exergy losses were calculated at each location. Ways were also suggested to address these losses. The Mass, Energy and Exergy balances were the core of mathematical modeling and calculations. First Law (Energy) efficiency and Second Law (Exergy) efficiency were calculated for the plant and a significant difference was found between them. Various efficiency enhancers like Economizer, Super-heater were also analyzed for their exergy losses. The results were tabulated and graphs were plotted to show the mathematical work and correlation between various parameters in a comprehensive way. The project was an exhaustive one and the results showed that there was a scope of improving the overall efficiency. Finally it's concluded that a total review of the Plant in terms of Exergy would be of great commercial interest to the Thermal Power Project.