Research on Advance Combined Cycle Technologies

The research project entitled Combined Cycle Power Plant with Integrated low Temperature Heat (LOTHECO) funded under the Fifth Framework Program for Research and Development of the European Commision with 200.000 Euros. The research contract (Contract No. ENK5-CT2000-00063) signed by EAC in September 2002 for a period of six months (October 2002 - May 2003). This research project have been succesfully completed.

The main objective of the project is the use of a mixed air steam turbine, as a topping cycle, with an external energy source for the water-in-air evaporation (e.g. solar energy). The heat contained in the exhaust gas is utilised in a bottoming Rankine cycle. Since the water-in-air evaporation takes place at the vapour partial pressure, the saturation temperature is accordingly significantly low (below 170°C). This temperature range (from below 100°C up to 170°C, depending on the amount of injected water and the compressor pressure ratio) is in favour of the integration of low-quality heat sources, that under other circumstances cannot be utilised for electric power generation, such as, geothermal, solar, etc. These arrangements result in an enhanced fuel-to-electricity efficiency compared to the efficiency of an equivalent conventional combined cycle.

EAC involvement is in the design stage for the possible installation of this technology and the preparation of a techno-economic analysis for its viability and competitiveness with the conventional technologies.
EAC co-ordinator is Dr. Andreas Poullikkas and associate scientist is Dr. Adonis Kellas. The project consortium consists of:

·         Public Power Corporation, Greece (project co-ordinator)

·         Institute TU Braunschweig, Germany

·         National Technical University of Athens, Greece

·         Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, UK

·         Institute of Thermal Turbomachines and Powerplants, Austria

·         Fichtner Solar GmbH, Germany

·         University Politehnica of Timisoara, Romania

·         Sofia Energy Centre, Bulgaria

·         Frederick Research Center, Cyprus

·         Hyperion Systems Engineering, Ltd., Cyprus

LOTHECO relevant presentations

Study of Economic, Environmental and Social Impacts of LOTHECO Cycle:Presentation at the European Commission, March 2003

Kick-off meeting presentation: Presentation at the European Commission, November 2002