(98b) Exergy Analysis of a Power Plant in Abu Dhabi (UAE)

The first objective of this research was to conduct an exergy analysis for a power-generation plant in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in order to determine the main source of its irreversibilities. Our results indicated that the combustion chamber was the main factor (70.2%) of the total exergy destruction of the plant. On the other hand, the compressor had the lowest contribution towards exergy destruction (12.4%). In the second part of this investigation, Aspen Hysys with the Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK) equation of state were utilized in order to simulate the effects of high temperatures and absolute humidity of ambient air on the exergy efficiency of the different equipment in the power plant. Our data showed that the temperature of ambient air had more negative effects on the performance of the plant than its absolute humidity. The exergy efficiency of the combustor and compressor decreased with temperature while the exergy efficiency of the turbine increased with temperature. Finally, a comparative study on performance of the power plant between design conditions (T=288K, RH=60%) and summer conditions (T=316K, RH=50%) in Abu Dhabi indicated that the power plant lost 4.66 % of its net power output and 4.61 % of its exergy efficiency.