Generally the biggest potential lies in increasing firing temperature and compressor efficiency. However, there are a variety of small improvements that can be made: maximising steam temperature is an obvious one. In practical systems there are improvements that can be made in air filtration and inlet air cooling in many cases. What are you looking for here? A set of options or some specific areas in an application?

Improving the efficiency of combined-cycle power plants through innovations in turbomachinery design involves optimizing components such as gas turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery systems. Key advancements include:

1. Advanced Gas Turbine Technologies

• Higher Turbine Inlet Temperatures (TIT): Utilizing materials like ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and advanced cooling techniques enables turbines to operate at higher temperatures, improving thermodynamic efficiency.
• Additive Manufacturing: 3D printing facilitates the creation of complex geometries for turbine blades and vanes, improving aerodynamics and cooling efficiency.
• Hydrogen Combustion: Turbines designed for hydrogen or blended fuels reduce carbon emissions while maintaining efficiency.
• Variable Geometry Components: Adjustable guide vanes and turbine stages improve performance across varying loads.

2. Improved Steam Turbine Efficiency

• Advanced Blade Design: Incorporating 3D and aerodynamically optimized blade profiles reduces losses and improves flow efficiency.
• Integrated Steam Path: Minimizing flow leakage through better sealing technologies enhances the efficiency of the steam cycle.
• Supercritical and Ultra-Supercritical Steam Conditions: Operating at higher pressures and temperatures increases cycle efficiency and power output.

3. Heat Recovery Innovations

• Optimized Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs): Modular and compact designs improve heat exchange efficiency and reduce thermal losses.
• Enhanced Materials: Using high-temperature alloys and coatings in HRSGs allows for better performance under extreme conditions.
• Integrated Reheat Cycles: Adding reheat stages in HRSGs boosts the thermal efficiency of the steam cycle.

4. Improved Aerodynamics and Cooling

• Turbine Blade Cooling Techniques: Internal cooling channels, film cooling, and transpiration cooling help maintain blade integrity while enabling higher operating temperatures.
• Low-Pressure Turbine Advancements: Optimizing blade length and pitch reduces aerodynamic losses in the low-pressure section of the steam turbine.

5. Digital and Control Systems

• Predictive Maintenance and AI Integration: Advanced sensors and AI algorithms enhance predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.
• Dynamic Control Systems: Real-time adjustments to operating conditions optimize performance and fuel consumption.

6. Hybrid and Flexible Operation

• Integration with Renewable Energy: Designing turbines that can rapidly ramp up and down complements intermittent renewable energy sources, enhancing grid stability.
• Energy Storage Integration: Combined-cycle systems with integrated energy storage (e.g., batteries or thermal storage) improve load management and efficiency.

7. Reduction of Parasitic Losses

• Efficient Bearings and Seals: Magnetic or advanced hydrodynamic bearings reduce mechanical losses.
• Minimized Auxiliary Power Consumption: Innovations in auxiliary systems, like pumps and compressors, improve overall plant efficiency.

These innovations collectively enhance the thermodynamic efficiency of combined-cycle power plants while addressing environmental and operational challenges.