Thermal power plants : energetic and exergetic approaches

This book offers an in-depth thermodynamic analysis of the operation of the main types of thermal power plants. An exergetic analysis adds to and substantially enriches the basic energetic approach. The first chapter introduces the concept of exergy, highlights its subtle nature and develops a methodology to apply it to the analysis of power plant operation. The following chapters are a series of monographs devoted to steam plants, gas turbines, combined cycle plants, internal combustion engines and cogeneration plants. The systematic and comparative presentation of the energy and exergy balances of these plants constitutes an original approach which hopefully will prove of interest.