BOOSTING TURBINE EFFICIENCY VIA AMBIENT TEMPERATURE REDUCTION AND HUMIDITY ELIMINATION

Abstract

The escalating global demand for electricity due to burgeoning human population has underscored the imperative to extend energy supply, optimize design, and enhance efficiency in industrial operations. Industries are resolutely focused on achieving these paramount goals to ensure sustainable energy generation and consumption. Notably, the proliferation of diverse power generation technologies, including wind energy, water energy, steam turbines (ST), and gas turbines (GT), underscores the multifaceted approach required to meet the escalating energy demands. In response to the surging energy requirements, the world has witnessed the proliferation of various power generation technologies. Wind and water energy have gained traction for their renewable and eco-friendly attributes, while steam turbines and gas turbines continue to be pivotal contributors to power generation. However, the exponential rise in fuel costs on a global scale has accentuated the urgency to enhance the efficiency and optimize costs in power plants. Thermal power plants, reliant on steam and gas turbines, constitute a significant proportion of the global power generation landscape. Achieving higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness in these power plants has emerged as an attractive focal point for engineers and researchers. With the continuous escalation in fuel costs, the drive to extract maximal energy output from every unit of fuel consumed has intensified. Consequently, there is a pressing need to explore novel avenues for increasing the efficiency of power plants while concurrently minimizing operational costs. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in achieving enhanced efficiency and cost optimization in thermal power plants. By scrutinizing the operational principles of steam and gas turbines, along with an assessment of the prevailing fuel cost trends, this study identifies potential strategies for optimizing power generation processes. The analysis encompasses both technical advancements and operational practices that can be harnessed to augment energy generation efficiency while mitigating financial expenditures. In a world where sustainable energy utilization is paramount, this research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on securing efficient power generation for the future.