Performance analysis of a combined cycle plant

Nowadays the demand for electricity and energy increases continuously. As a result of increasing demand for the electricity, construction rate of new power plants grows constantly.Also studies for operating of existing power plants more efficiently have been carried out.To operate power plants efficiently, firstly thermodynamical analysis should be carried out with regarding to actual working data. After the analysis, paremeters effecting the performance of system have been examined. According to the examinations, variables and equipmants ,which cause performance lost, have been determined and improvement suggestions have been presented. During the analysis, application of the first law of thermodynamics alonely will not be proper display. So application of the second law of thermodynamics, which emphasises the quality of energy is also important, provides more accurate results.In this study the performance analysis of a combined cycle power plant performed with regarding to actual working data and power plant has been diagnosed with the first and second law of thermodynamics. Exergy efficiencies and exergy destruction rates are calculated on the basis of equipmants. According to the calculations first law and second law efficiencies of the combined cycle power plant has been found as 63.4 % and 59.8 % respectively Combustion chamber has been found as having the most exergy destruction rate.Improvement suggestions are also stated according to the results obtained from the study.Keywords : Combined cycle, first and second law of thermodynamics, exergy destruction rate