Determinação teórica da eficiência de ciclos combinados em usinas de cogeração ; Theoretical determination of combined cycle efficiency in cogeneration plants

Combined cycles in cogeneration plants represent an advanced and efficient approach to energy production, standing out for their ability to maximize the utilization of energy resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance the overall system efficiency. Combined cycles in cogeneration are energy generation systems that integrate two or more energy production technologies to optimize efficiency and resource utilization. Typically, these systems include a gas or steam power plant (operating in the Brayton or Rankine cycle, respectively) and a waste heat recovery plant. The central idea is to harness the residual heat generated during electricity production for additional applications such as industrial heating, air conditioning, or even chemical processes. In a typical combined cycle, the process begins with the combustion of fuel (usually natural gas) in a gas turbine, generating electricity. The residual heat produced in this process is then directed to a heat exchanger, where it is utilized to generate steam. The steam proceeds to an additional steam turbine, which also generates electricity or provides heat for other applications. This sequential energy utilization results in significantly higher overall efficiency compared to conventional power plants that discard a substantial portion of the generated heat. Some applications of combined cycles in cogeneration include: (1) Electricity generation: The primary application is the more efficient production of electricity from thermal energy, reducing operational costs and carbon emissions; (2) Air conditioning: In commercial and industrial settings, residual heat can be used to power air conditioning systems, saving electrical energy; (3) Industrial processes: Various industries, including chemical and food processing, requiring heat in their processes, can obtain it with high quality and low cost from combined cycles; (4) In summary, combined cycles in cogeneration play a crucial role in the pursuit of cleaner and more efficient energy production. They ...