INNOVATION

HYGROSCOPIC CYCLE

Francisco Javier Rubio Serrano

Head of Engineering/Energy Division

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Index
1. Background
2. Innovative Technology
3. Applications
4. Commercial Plants
5. Hygroscopic Cycle VS Rankine Cycle
6. Conclusions

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1. BACKGROUND (1)
"If the wars of the XX century were fought
over oil, the wars of XXI century will be
fought over water. Ismail Serageldin

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1. BACKGROUND (2)

Rankine cycle mainly application is to generate electricity in thermal power

stations.

Rankine cycles are large consumers of water, used as replacement cycle itself,
for cleaning and cooling system, being the latest consumer the most important
of the three. This consumption depends on the type of technology used,
cooling system selected, the weather conditions and cycle performance.

Main improvements developed to increase the efficiency of the Rankine Cycle

are the following:

Overheating steam at the beginning of the expansion (Hirn Cycle).

Pressure and temperature modifications at the initial and final phase of

expansion

Overheating

Regeneration Cycle

Binary Vapour Cycle

Hygroscopic Cycle

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2. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY (1)

The technology is being developed since 2008 and is located in the state of the art
since 2010, as Rankine cycle with absorption step using hygroscopic compounds".
In 2012 IMASA, ENGINEERING AND PROJECTS, S.A, acquired the rights to use it.

Hygroscopic cycle is a power cycle which is characterized by working with

hygroscopic compounds which optimize condensation of the steam at the output
turbine. It can work under high vacuum to the outlet with good cooling conditions.

Hygroscopic cycle is compatible with all the improvements of the conventional

Rankine Cycle.

Main advantages are a significant improvement in technical, environmental and

economical. Rankine Cycle Revolution.

Improve the electrical performance around 1%. (From 0,3% to 1% net electrical
efficiency improves).

Savings in cooling water intakes above 85%.

O&M costs decreased by 25%.

Steam cycle investment costs are reduced around 5% (space reduction (civil
works)).

Increases the life of the plant, the reliability and the availability.

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2. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY (2)

Hygroscopic cycle uses a steam absorber

where the steam turbine output current is in
contact
with
hygroscopic
compounds,
increasing the condensation temperature.

There is a thermal and chemical recovery of

boiler blowdown.

The increase of performance implies:

Reduce of fuel consumption

Carbon dioxide (C02) reduction per kWh

produced

Increased competitiveness

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2. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY (3)

Improved cooling conditions imply:

Replace cooling towers or air condensers by air coolers

Decrease or cancel the water consumption

Environmental impact reduction

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3. APPLICATIONS

HYGROSCOPIC cycle has several applications. The main and more interesting
ones are the following:

Power plants

Combined cycles

Nuclear plants

Thermoelectric plants (coal ant other fuels)

Biomass power plants

CSP Plants

Cogeneration plants

Applicable to new and existing plants.

In all cases, the application of Hygroscopic cycle technology would mean a

significant increase of competitiveness.

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4. COMMERCIAL PLANT

Hygroscopic cycle can be applied commercially to

power plants that use a Rankine cycle for any power.

Most of the equipment and materials are the same as

on a conventional Rankine cycle (turbine, boiler,
deaerator, pumps, etc ...).

The novelty is the incorporation of a steam absorber,

regenerative heat exchanger, air cooler and internal
recirculation to recover thermally and chemically
boiler blowdown.

All equipment and materials of the Hygroscopic cycle

are commercials and 100% guaranteed by the
different manufacturers.

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5. HYGROSCOPIC CYCLE VS RANKINE CYCLE (1)
5.1 ANNUAL PRICE AND CONSUMPTION OF COOLING WATER

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5. HYGROSCOPIC CYCLE VS RANKINE CYCLE (2)
PARAMETERS

INVESTMENT PRICE ()

RANKINE CYCLE
WITH COOLING
TOWERS

RANKINE CYCLE
WITH AIR
CONDENSER

HYGROSCOPIC
CYCLE

35.500.000

37.070.000

33.700.000

15,00

14,19

15,23

117.000

110.682

118.794

28,74

27,18

29,19

ANNUAL CONSUMPTION
COOLING WATER(m3)

550.000

52.500

ANNUAL COOLING TOWER

BLOWDOWN PRODUCTION(m3)

180.000

15.000

15.000

12.000

ANNUAL COST OF COOLING

WATER ()

1.100.000

105.000

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE COST

()

1.200.000

1.050.000

900.000

ANNUAL SELF CONSUMPTION

(MWh)

11.700

11.595

11.525

ELECTRICAL NET OUTPUT (MW)

ANNUAL ELECTRICAL
PRODUCTION (MWh)
NET PERFORMANCE STEAM
CYCLE (%)

ANNUAL CONSUMPTION OF
INPUT WATER TO THE STEAM
CYCLE (m3)

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6. CONCLUSIONS

Increases the electrical performance around

1%.

Savings in cooling water consumptions above

85%.

Steam cycle investment costs are reduced

around 5%.

O&M costs are decreased by 25%.

Applicable to all power plants that use a

Rankine or steam cycle: power plants,
combined cycle, nuclear, biomass,
thermosolar, cogeneration ...

EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS

Thanks for your attention

Francisco Javier Rubio Serrano
Head of Engineering/Energy Division
Mv: +34 683 66 19 69
fj.rubio@imasa.com
www.imasa.com