Exergy and Non-linear Gas Path Analysis of a Gas Turbine Power Plant

An exergy and non-linear gas path analysis was carried out on a 180 MW gas turbine power plant in Afam, Rivers State, Nigeria. The plant major components were separated into control volumes of exergy inflows and outflows, then analyzing each flow using the first and second laws of thermodynamics. For non-linear gas path analysis, the thermodynamic relationship between engine gas path measurement parameters and engine component parameters was modeled at base load conditions. The power plant’s overall average net efficiency was 36.997 percent, according to the findings. The turbine has the lowest exergy loss rate at 15.86 percent, while the combustion chamber has the greatest loss rate at 38.88 percent. The average actual and calculated turbine inlet temperatures were found to differ by 0.30 percent in the study. With a deviation of 9.672 percent, the average actual turbine exit temperature was higher than expected, which was attributed to non utilization of available energy due to turbine inter-stage leakages. The machine path components’ performance is limited by the deteriorated performance caused by tear and wear effects. The assessment performed revealed areas of high exergy losses and component part degradation with the intention of improving plant efficiency by implementing good maintenance practice and utilizing the heat in exhaust gases to generate steam with no supplementary fuel burning to increase electric power output.