Abstract
The object of the study is to present a method of thermodynamic optimization of power generating plants, in a mode that
consolidates and simplifies the analysis of data on heat-work interaction of the plant components. The optimization scheme identifies the
technical and process parameters that can improve the thermodynamic performance of the plant with respect to an objective variable, and
further, the required thermodynamic measures necessary to improve the operating condition of the plant. Simple but effective tools are
used to evaluate the optimal and suboptimal power generating capacities vis-à-vis the fundamental variables—namely, the thermodynamic
quantity ratio (TQR) and the power-energy quantity ratio (PQR)—without routing optimization procedures. Beyond the optimal value of
the objective variable, the power generation capacity of the plant is affected. The determination of the optimal value of the objective
variable can also be approached by computerization; for fixed prescriptions of the boiler, superheater, and turbine parameters, variables
such as boiler pressure and temperature can be optimally selected. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EY.1943-7897.0000367. © 2016 American
Society of Civil Engineers.