Power Generation From a 770°C Heat Source by Means of a Main Steam Cycle, a Topping Closed Gas Cycle and an Ammonia Bottoming Cycle

Abstract

For power generation, steam cycles make an efficient use of medium temperature (•□ 300–600°C) heat sources. They can be adapted to dry cooling, higher power ratings and output increase in winter by addition of an ammonia bottoming cycle. Active development is carried out in this field by “Electricite de France.” It is shown that a satisfactory result, for heat sources of about 770°C, is obtained with a topping closed gas cycle of moderate power rating, rejecting its waste heat into the main steam cycle. Attention has to be paid to the gas turbine cycle waste heat recovery and to the coupling of the gas turbine and steam cycles. This concept drastically reduces the importance of new technology components.