Selection of HRSG Parameters for the Triple-Pressure Combined Cycle Power Plant Based on ant Colony Optimization Algorithm

Abstract

A new method for the thermoeconomic optimization of triple-pressure heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) for combined cycle power plants (CCGT) is proposed in this paper. The new optimization method is based on the ant colony optimization algorithm (ACO) and by applying the global optimization software (MIDCO). The optimal values of the most influencing operating parameters are obtained by maximizing the objective function while satisfying a group of constraints. The proposed method is based on optimization of the following operating parameters: the temperature difference between the gas and steam (pinch point) and the drum pressures in the HRSG. The purpose of the thermoeconomic optimization was increasing of the annual cash flow. The optimized combined cycle was compared with the initial case. The results show that there is a potential for considerable improvement of the plant economy when compared to the initial case, where the overall thermal efficiency increased by 0.54 % and the annual cash flow was increased by1.53M$. In addition, the new method could be suitable for research work of the power plants optimization.