Power augmentation of combined cycle power plants using cold energy of liquefied natural gas

The feasibility of using inlet air cooling by virtue of the cold energy of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to increase power output of gas/steam combined cycle power plants during warm seasons is analyzed. Air cooling capacity and power augmentation for a combined cycle system based on a high performance gas turbine are demonstrated as a function of the ambient temperature and humidity. It is shown that the relative increase in power of the combined cycle plant amounts to 8% for dry air condition (relative humidity lower than 30%) and 6% for usual humidity conditions (60% relative humidity). The system appears feasible even with a realistic air pressure loss in the inlet air cooler if humidity is not too high. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.