REPOWERING DIESEL ENGINE POWERED THERMAL POWER PLANTS THROUGH A POWER AND COOLING COGENERATION CYCLE

Abstract

This study explored the applicability of the Goswami cycle for repowering internal combustion engine-based power plants, using the Viana Power Plant as a case study. Thermodynamic, exergetic, and economic analyses were performed. The cycle optimized for power generation (GWC-P) outperformed the refrigeration-focused configuration (GWC-R), enhancing net electrical generation and exergetic efficiency. Despite the complexity and implementation costs of the Goswami cycle, GWC-P exhibited potential, yielding up to 5,069 kW of additional power without extra fuel consumption. While GWC-R offered cooling benefits, GWC-P overshadowed it in terms of power generation enhancement. The research highlights the feasibility of the Goswami cycle for repowering, improving efficiency and power capacity in existing power plants.