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Concept
Kalina cycle
Summary
The Kalina cycle, developed by Alexander Kalina, is a thermodynamic process for converting thermal energy into usable mechanical power.
It uses a solution of 2 fluids with different boiling points for its working fluid. Since the solution boils over a range of temperatures as in distillation, more of the heat can be extracted from the source than with a pure working fluid. The same applies on the exhaust (condensing) end. This provides efficiency comparable to a Combined cycle, with less complexity.
By appropriate choice of the ratio between the components of the solution, the boiling point of the working solution can be adjusted to suit the heat input temperature. Water and ammonia is the most widely used combination, but other combinations are feasible.
Because of this ability to take full advantage of the temperature difference between the particular heat source and sink available, it finds applications in reuse of industrial process heat, geothermal energy, solar energy, and use of waste heat from power plants (Bottoming cycle). Even at lower pressure, a Kalina cycle may have higher efficiency than a comparable Rankine cycle.
Recoverable heat from industrial processes.
The Kalina cycle has been thought to increase thermal power output efficiencies by up to 50% in suitable installations, and is ideally suited for applications such as steel, coal, oil refineries and cement production plants.
The Kashima Steel Works operated by Sumitomo Metal Industries was commissioned in 1999. It produces 3.6MW of electricity and is the longest running commercial application of the Kalina cycle.
The Tokyo Bay Oil Refinery operated by Fuji Oil was commissioned in 2005 and produces 4MW of power
Geothermal
Husavik facility, Iceland rated 2MW electric power output and 20MW heat power
Unterhaching facility, Germany was commissioned in April 2009 and was the first of its kind (low enthalpy) in southern Germany. This plant produces 3.4MW of electric power and 38MW of heating power for the local township of Unterhaching.
Official source
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