Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic analysis of a gas turbine plant with integrated waste heat recovery
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.20.2.2026.6.0874Keywords:
Gas Turbine, Exergy Analysis, Exergoeconomic, Waste Heat Recovery, Blue HydrogenAbstract
Suboptimal thermal efficiency of gas turbine operation is caused by a significant portion of the input energy lost as waste heat. This study investigates the integration of advanced waste heat recovery systems to mitigate these losses, enhance overall plant performance and increase operating revenue. A comprehensive thermodynamic model was developed based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics to simulate a gas turbine integrated with a combined cycle gas turbine, electric turbocompounding and a regenerative cycle. The feasibility of on-site waste-to-hydrogen production from the electrolysis process of the recovered energy was also evaluated. The model was analysed across a range of compressor pressure ratios and combustion chamber temperature rises. For the baseline gas turbine, the maximum exergetic efficiency was 11% at PRC of 12 and a combustion chamber temperature rises of 1000 K, with efficiency declining at higher compressor pressure ratios. The integrated system with waste heat recovery significantly increased the exergetic efficiency up to 26% at a higher compressor pressure ratios of approximately 12. A preliminary exergoeconomic analysis indicated that the integrated system could reduce electricity fuel costs by up to 50% relative to the baseline plant and generate up to $4,000 per hour in additional revenue stream through on-site production of cost-competitive hydrogen. The results indicate that the strategic integration of multi-stage energy recovery systems can more than double the exergetic efficiency of gas turbine power plants, thereby maximising useful work output and enabling a sustainable thermal system with hydrogen co-production.
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