Exergy-Driven Optimization of Ammonia as a Sustainable Cooling Agent for Water-Constrained Power Systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22105/jeee.v1i1.27Keywords:
Exergy analysis, Ammonia, Cooling systems, Power plants, Energy efficiencyAbstract
The present study investigates the exergy analysis of an ammonia-based cooling system for combined cycle power plants as an alternative to conventional methods using water. The study, in particular, looks at the influences of ammonia on exergy change and environmental advantages by using ammonia as a substitute for water in the cooling system. Its lower boiling point and higher latent capacity make it an attractive alternative, especially in water-scarce regions. The performances of ammonia-based systems are compared with those of water-cooled counterparts through thermodynamic simulations and case studies. It is shown that from the ammonia-based cooling cycle, exergy losses are 27.34% less than water-cooled systems during the colder seasons, mainly due to smaller losses in other components than the condenser. On the other hand, exergy losses rise by 5.57% in warmer seasons because ammonia's efficiency drops at high temperatures due to enthalpy and entropy effects. This clearly shows that ammonia-based systems experience higher inefficiencies in warmer environments than water-cooled systems, which stamps the temperature sensitivity of ammonia in cooling applications. These findings suggest that ammonia-based cooling systems improve efficiency and significantly reduce water.
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