Performance evaluation of a combined power generation system integrated with thermochemical exhaust heat recuperation based on steam methane reforming

The present paper applies the thermodynamic analysis with the determining the efficiency of a combined cycle power plant with a chemically recuperated gas turbine. Thermo -chemical recuperation of exhaust heat after a gas turbine is realized via the steam methane reforming process. The main concept of combined cycle power plant (CCPP) with chemi-cally recuperated gas turbine (CRGT) is based on the use of exhaust heat for endothermic reforming of the original hydrocarbon fuel in a reformer and for steam generation for a steam cycle. To understand the effect of operating variables such as temperature, pressure, and steam-to-methane ratio on the overall efficiency, the energy and mass balances were compiled. The energy flows were represented by a Sankey diagram. The results of the thermodynamic analysis show that efficiency of CCPP with CRGT is significantly higher (4-7%) than efficiency of CCPP with a conventional gas turbine without TCR. Maximum ef-ficiency of CCPP with CRGT of 0.6412 is observed at inlet temperature of working gas of 1600 degrees C, pressure of 23 bar for a steam-to-methane ratio of 3.0. In the temperature of inlet working gas below 1200 degrees C the increase in the efficiency of CCPP with TCR is less than 2%.(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.