Thermodynamic Optimization of the HAT Cycle Plant Structure—Part II: Structure of the Heat Exchanger Network

Abstract

In Part I of the paper a thermodynamic optimization methodology was presented for the “basic” configuration of a humid air turbine cycle plant in which the heat exchange section is viewed as a black-box separated from the rest of the plant (basic components), having a fixed structure. The results of the optimization apply to all the heat exchanger networks that fulfill the optimal boundary conditions between the black-box and the rest of the plant. The aim of this part is to define these heat exchanger networks using a combination of Pinch Technology and Second Law insights. The possibility of a further reduction in the number of heat exchangers is then investigated in order to achieve the best compromise between high performances and structural simplicity.