Análise da eficiência térmica de um sistema de ar regenerativo inserido em uma termelétrica de ciclo Rankine a carvão

Abstract

Rankine cycle power plants are widely used for generating electricity from the combustion of fossil fuels. However, this process generates combustion gases containing high concentrations of carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming. To mitigate this environmental impact, many power plants adopt regenerative air systems, which allow heat exchange between the combustion gases and air drawn from the atmosphere, increasing the overall efficiency of the plant and in turn reducing the amount of CO2 emitted. This work aims to analyze the data obtained from a regenerative air system in a Rankine cycle power plant. The main objective is to obtain the efficiency of heat exchange between the combustion gases and atmospheric air, in order to verify whether the equipment is maintaining stable efficiency over time or if it is deteriorating. This analysis will contribute to identifying possible system failures and assist in predicting future shutdowns for preventive maintenance. To achieve the proposed objective, operational data from the regenerative air system were collected over a determined period. This data was analyzed using statistical techniques to evaluate the efficiency of heat exchange between the combustion gases and atmospheric air. Furthermore, visual and in-depth field inspections were conducted to complement the analysis. The results indicated that the efficiency of the regenerative air system was within acceptable standards and that there was no decrease over time. However, some areas for improvement were identified that could further increase this efficiency. Based on the results obtained, we can conclude that the regenerative air system of the Rankine cycle power plant is operating efficiently and stably. The analysis of the data and inspections carried out allowed the identification of possible improvements that could be innovative in further increasing the system’s efficiency. In addition, the adoption of this type of monitoring and data analysis can contribute to the early identification of failures and assist in the preventive maintenance of the equipment, thus ensuring better performance and reducing environmental impacts.