Feasibility Study on Using Air-Cooled Condensers in the Condensing System of a Combined-Cycle Power Plant

Abstract

In modern energy production, countries are increasingly prioritizing the adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies that enhance energy efficiency while minimizing ecological impact. For Mongolia, with its arid climate and limited water resources, the traditional use of water-cooled systems in power plants poses significant environmental challenges. As a result, the adoption of innovative solutions, such as air-cooled condensers (ACCs), is becoming crucial. ACCs offer a viable alternative in water-scarce regions, especially in arid areas like the Gobi Desert, where they can help conserve local water resources without disrupting the ecological balance or the water needs of communities and wildlife. This study examines the feasibility of integrating an ACC into the K-12-35 steam turbine cooling system of a planned 124 MW combined-cycle power plant (CCPP) near the Tavan Tolgoi coal mine in Tsogttsetsii, Omnogobi Province. A performance comparison between ACCs and water-cooled condensers (WCCs) is conducted using ambient air temperatures representative of all four seasons. For the K-12-35 steam turbine, a WCC requires 1,795.8 tons of cooling water per hour to condense 54.35 tons of exhaust steam, with approximately 1.6% of this water lost to evaporation. ACCs, on the other hand, eliminate water loss entirely, providing a significant advantage in arid climates.