Improving Power Plant Efficiency using Water Droplet Injection in Air Condensers

Observations show that power plant efficiency decreases in hot summer days. Water droplet injection in air condensers is suggested in order to decrease the inlet air temperature. Nozzle arrangement, injected water flow rate and droplets diameter effects on evaporation rate and the resulting air temperature are investigated using numerical simulation. Decreasing the diameter of injected droplets and increasing the number of injecting nozzles, decreases the outlet air temperature. Also a more uniform air temperature can be obtained using more injecting nozzles. Numerical results are in good agreement with analytical results.




References:
[1] Lam JC. Energy analysis of commercial buildings in subtropical
climates. Building and Environment 2000;35:19-26.
[2] Yik FWH, Burnett J, Prescott I. Predicting air-conditioning energy
consumption of a group of buildings using different heat rejection
methods. Energy and Buildings 2001;33:151-66.
[3] Yu FW, Chan KT. Electricity end-use characteristics of air-cooled
chillers in hotels in Hong Kong. Building and Environment
2005;40:143-51.
[4] Chan KT, Yu FW. Applying condensing-temperature control in aircooled
reciprocating water chillers for energy efficiency. Appl Energy
2002;72:565-81.
[5] Chan KT, Yu FW. Part-load efficiency of air-cooled multiple-chiller
plant. Building Services Eng Res Technol 2002;23(1):31-41.
[6] Lam JC. Energy analysis of commercial buildings in subtropical
climates. Building Environ 2000;35:19-26.
[7] Yik FWH, Burnett J, Prescott I. Predicting air-conditioning energy
consumption of a group of buildings using different heat-rejection
methods. Energy Buildings 2001;33:151-66.
[8] B. E. Launder and D. B. Spalding.
Lectures in Mathematical Models of Turbulence.
Academic Press, London, England, 1972.