Integrated Back-Pressure Turbine Plant with Kalina Cycle as an Alternative Solution for Challenges in Sustainable Cogeneration Plants

Currently, the mainstream source of electrical energy generation is fossil fuels. The unpredictable behavior of these fuels produces harmful byproducts, such as fuel gases, and leads to damage in the surrounding environment. New trends, with a focus on energy efficiency and environmental protection in the power generation sector, will alter the character of this industry. This work presents an innovative approach to addressing the challenges facing the cogeneration plant sector by integrating back-pressure turbines with the Kalina power cycle. This combination aims to produce electricity and useful thermal energy instantaneously from a single fuel source, often encountering efficiency and operational challenges. The proposed combined system enhances the advantages of both the back-pressure turbine plant and the Kalina power cycle while enhancing overall efficiency. A thermodynamic energy analysis is conducted for all components and systems under various operating conditions. The obtained results indicate that the proposed cycle possesses thermal efficiency with a range of 36–39.5% and specific fuel consumption with a range of 0.214–0.233 kg/kWh under both design and off-design conditions. Through comprehensive thermodynamic analyses, this work provides insight into the viability and advantages of integrating the back-pressure turbine with the Kalina power cycle, proposing a promising alternative for cogeneration power plants seeking enhanced performance and sustainability.