Methodology for calculating specific fuel consumption in the analysis of combined hydrogen production at thermal power plants using digital simulation

The study is devoted to the conversion of thermal power plants from cogeneration to combined production of heat, electricity and hydrogen using the method of methane steam reforming.

The relevance of the work is due to the need for correct distribution of fuel costs between fundamentally different products in multi-generation energy systems in order to optimize and determine equipment loading modes.

The research methods include the analysis and synthesis of knowledge about the existing methodology for calculat­ing specific fuel consumption and material and energy balances of thermal power plants and methane steam reforming units (MSRU), as well as simulation modeling of the thermal circuit of a steam power plant in the program «United Cycle».

The existing methodology for calculating specific fuel consumption has been improved to assess technical and economic indicators for the combined production of three products. The methodology was tested on the example of Severnaya TPP-21 (St. Petersburg) using a digital twin of the plant.

The results show an increase in energy efficiency: an increase in the fuel heat utilization factor by 0,10-0,43% and a decrease in total fuel consumption while maintaining production volumes. The integration of the MSRU allows for a decrease in the thermal power of its furnace by 28% and a reduction in losses in condensers. The efficiency of integration depends on the seasonal operating mode of the station and the scale of hydrogen production. The proposed methodology and digital modeling tools allow for technical and economic analysis and optimization of operating modes of energy technology complexes, ensuring a scientifically sound choice of integration parameters for specific operating conditions

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