Análise termoeconômica de uma usina termelétrica a carvão mineral

Abstract

The main goal of this work is the application of the thermoeconomics concepts according to the methodology proposed by Theory of Exergetic Cost in a preliminary study of a great load thermal unit. It is about of a conventional unit burning a blend of a powdered coal located in the Drax power station (Yorkshire, England). The energy, exergetic and thermoeconomic analysis are applied in order to evaluate the efficiencies and irreversibilities of the several equipments that constitute the thermal unit. The exergetic and exergoeconomic costs of the internal flows as well as the final product, which is the net electric power generation of the unit, are obtained. It is also argued the conventional thermodynamic cycles as well as the constructive characteristics of the equipments that constitute a great load plant. Technologies capable to improve the global efficiency of the burning coal power thermodynamic cycles as well as the mitigation of the pollutant produced and emitted for the mineral coal burned are presented. A report about the origin, the characteristics, Rank, reserves, prices and productions in national and international scale of the mineral coal along the years is presented. A general view as well as a brief description about the Drax Power Plant is also presented. A case study is carry out, and through the results, it was possible to evaluate and discuss the possibilities of improvement of this thermal unit bearing in mind the knowledge of the equipments which the improvement or control should be more significant. It was also argued the possibility to build an unit of great load in the South of Brazil.