V. M. Batenin

Use of combined-cycle power units at cogeneration plants

Indices of reconstructed and new cogeneration plants (CPs) using combined cycle units (CCPUs) are considered. The conclusions that follow from the necessity of retention of the heat capacity of a CP under reconstruction and limited possibilities of CCPUs as to heat output are given.

About the strategy for development of the Russian power engineering (after ten years)

The situation that arose in the Russian power industry after restructuring the RAO UES of Russia is briefly analyzed. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that it is almost impossible to introduce innovations. Insolvency of directly copying foreign trends in development of power engineering is demonstrated. Several particular proposals aimed at improving the existing situation are stated that suggest raising the role of the State in managing the energy sector of the national economy.

A comparative technical and economic analysis of different alternatives for using coal in a combined-cycle plant with minimal emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

We consider the technical and economic aspects of a problem related to reducing the amount of CO2 emitted when coal is burned at thermal power stations. The additional costs associated with different technologies for entrapping carbon dioxide produced when coal is burned in steam-turbine units and combined-cycle plants (which are the main types of power-generating installations) are analyzed by way of comparison. The specific cost of removing carbon dioxide using different technologies for its entrapment is estimated.

Test facility for investigation of heat transfer of promising coolants for the nuclear power industry

The results are presented of experimental investigations into liquid metal heat transfer performed by the joint research group consisting of specialist in heat transfer and hydrodynamics from NIU MPEI and JIHT RAS. The program of experiments has been prepared considering the concept of development of the nuclear power industry in Russia. This concept calls for, in addition to extensive application of water-cooled, water-moderated (VVER-type) power reactors and BN-type sodium cooled fast reactors, development of the new generation of BREST-type reactors, fusion power reactors, and thermonuclear neutron sources. The basic coolants for these nuclear power installations will be heavy liquid metals, such as lead and lithium-lead alloy. The team of specialists from NRU MPEI and JIHT RAS commissioned a new RK-3 mercury MHD-test facility. The major components of this test facility are a unique electrical magnet constructed at Budker Nuclear Physics Institute and a pressurized liquid metal circuit. The test facility is designed for investigating upward and downward liquid metal flows in channels of various cross-sections in a transverse magnetic field. A probe procedure will be used for experimental investigation into heat transfer and hydrodynamics as well as for measuring temperature, velocity, and flow parameter fluctuations. It is generally adopted that liquid metals are the best coolants for the Tokamak reactors. However, alternative coolants should be sought for. As an alternative to liquid metal coolants, molten salts, such as fluorides of lithium and beryllium (so-called FLiBes) or fluorides of alkali metals (so-called FLiNaK) doped with uranium fluoride, can be used. That is why the team of specialists from NRU MPEI and JIHT RAS, in parallel with development of a mercury MHD test facility, is designing a test facility for simulating molten salt heat transfer and hydrodynamics. Since development of this test facility requires numerical predictions and verification of numerical codes, all examined configurations of the MHD flow are also investigated numerically.

Thermodynamic evaluation of the possibility to increase cogeneration turbine efficiency by using a heat pump operating with steam

Cogeneration turbines operate in different operation modes that considerably differ as to the working process conditions. In summer time, when heat demand is minimal, almost all steam flow passes through all turbine stages and enters into the condenser (condensing mode of operation). When heat supply is needed, the steam bleed-offs are used. The several last stages of the turbine (low-pressure part—LPP) have a control diaphragm at the inlet. When the heat supply is large, the diaphragm is maximally closed, and the entire steam flow, with an exception for a minimal ventilation flow is delivered to the steam bleed-offs (cogeneration mode). LPP flow path is designed for the optimal operation in the condensing mode. While running in cogeneration mode, the LPP operating conditions are far from optimal. Depending on the ventilation steam flow rate and outlet pressure, the LPP power can drop to zero or even become negative (ventilation mode). It is proposed to control an outlet steam pressure by using the heat pump that operates with steam. The heat pump energy consumption can be compensated and even exceeded by optimizing the steam expansion process in LPP. In this respect, operating conditions of cogeneration turbine LPPs during the cold season are analyzed. A brief description of a heat pump operating with steam is made. The possibility of increasing cogeneration turbine efficiency by using a steam heat pump is shown.

Power increasing reserves in gas-turbine unit-based independent power units

The possibilities of broadening the control range of the gas-turbine power unit by water injection into various points of the flow path of its compressors including compressed air are analyzed. The results from experimental investigations of a turbine of 1.2 MW capacity are presented.

Thermal reclamation of solid domestic wastes

Matters relating to protection of the environment from man-made wastes through their efficient use as alternative fuel resources by subjecting them to gasification are considered. The scheme of an installation is presented in which all energy produced at the gasifier outlet is used without losing its high-temperature potential.

Two-phase filtration of multicomponent mixtures with a retrograde region of the phase diagram

The results of mathematical and physical modeling of an isothermal filtration of multicomponent mixtures with a retrograde region of the phase diagram are presented. By the example of mixtures of hydrocarbons of the methane line, the conditions at which the hydrocarbon-two-phase fluid−porous space system is a self-oscillation system are determined. The data obtained make it possible to explain certain regularities of the filtration of gas-condensate mixtures and can be used to increase the extraction of gas-condensate deposits.

Experimentally studying of axial compressor operation with steam

Steam offers numerous benefits when used as the working fluid in thermodynamic cycles. In lowtemperature cycles, where thermal energy is switched from one temperature potential to another (thermal transformers), steam is much less commonly used as a working fluid than in high-temperature cycles. The deficiencies of difficulties in using steam in thermal transformers include low pressure at the working temperatures and hence large specific volume. A compressor capable of high productivity having high discharge and relatively large increase in pressure is required. To that end, a multistage axial compressor from an airplane aircraft engine may be employed. To confirm the viability of this approach, the compressor of an AL-21 airplane aircraft engine is tested on a custom test bench. Experimental results are presented for a multistage axial compressor working with steam, when the input pressure is 0.5–5 kPa.

The comparative effectiveness of serving peak loads in the variants of providing nuclear power plants with a base load

The present paper reports the results of an investigation into the effectiveness of serving peak loads in the variants of providing nuclear power plants with a base load through unloading condensing power plants, combined heat and power (CHP) plants, combined-cycle thermal power plants during night-time off-peak hours, the use of the off-peak electric power for power and heat supply, and water electrolysis with the use of hydrogen and oxygen for production of the peak electric power, as compared with the variant of the development of pumped storage hydropower plants.