Cycle Optimization and High Performance Analysis of Gas Engine-Gas Turbine Combined Cycles

The reciprocating engine operates with a maximum pressure and temperature in its cylinders that is higher than that in conventional gas turbines. When a gas engine is integrated with a gas turbine instead of a turbocharger, it is an ETCS (Engine-Turbo Compound System). We have developed the concept of a compound system with ERGT (Engine Reheat Gas Turbine) and propose it as a system with potentially high thermal efficiency. A natural gas firing gas turbine combined cycle (CC) is selected as the standard system for a thermal power plant. A higher TIT (Turbine Inlet Temperature) of gas turbine usually enables higher power generation efficiency. Focusing on the effect of engine exhaust temperature, we found that the ETCS cycle with a ERGT has the potential to achieve higher thermal efficiency than that of a gas turbine combined cycle, with no change in TIT. An engine exhaust temperature of 1173K increases the system power generation efficiency from 46 to 50%LHV (TIT 1150°C) and 54 to 57%LHV (TIT 1350°C), respectively. The gas engine–gas turbine combined cycle has the potential to achieve a significant efficiency increase of +4.1%LHV (TIT 1150°C) and +2.8%LHV (TIT 1350°C), making it a promising system for future power plants. Efficiency is expected to be improved by +8.7% (TIT 1150°C) and +5.6% (TIT 1350°C), relatively.