Dynamic exergy concept for more efficient transient operation of coupled thermal-electrical energy supply systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Karsten Müller
• Subject Area: Energy Process Engineering ; Technical Thermodynamics
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 416334151

Adaption of existing thermal power plants to renewable fuels and a more pronounce dynamic operation threaten to cause a decrease in overall efficiency, which should be avoided. Due to the increasing complexity of fuels (for instance, because of the utilization of biogenic resources), the complexity of exergy destruction in power plant processes increases as well. The dynamic exergy model for transient operation of power plants, which has been developed in the first part of the project, is supposed to be amended in this second phase of the project. Two main goals are followed: First, chemical exergy will be integrated into the model. This way, exergetic information about the chemical species as well as about concentrations is accessed. Second, the model, which has been developed in the first part of the project, is to a large degree limited to gas fired power plants. In this second phase, the model will be amended to integrate the combustion processes of solid materials. Transient operation of fluidized bed combustion of biomass is a major contributor to exergy destruction in the respective processes. Specific emphasis will be on optimization of air and fuel supply in transient operation. Other than in gas fired power plants, these two supplies should not be operated in parallel to reach maximum in exergy utilization.In addition to the development of the model, a demonstration power plant will be simulated with the developed modeling approach to identify potentials for increasing efficiency.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants