BROAD India
Exhaust Fired VAM: The Hidden Cost-Saver for Gas-Based Power Plants
Exhaust Fired VAM: The Hidden Cost-Saver for Gas-Based Power Plants
Quick Links: TIAC Solutions | Auxiliary Cooling | District Cooling | Consult Experts
For gas-based power plants, nearly 50% of fuel energy escapes as waste heat. Exhaust-fired vapor absorption machines (VAM) turn this waste into a strategic asset, improving efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and lowering parasitic loads.
The Technology: Direct Exhaust Integration
BROAD's exhaust-fired VAMs integrate directly into the turbine or engine exhaust stream (450-550°C). Unlike intermediate steam systems, this direct approach maximizes efficiency, achieving a COP of 1.2-1.3.
Application 1: Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (TIAC)
Gas turbines lose efficiency in heat—derating by ~0.7% for every 1°C rise in inlet temperature. TIAC uses exhaust heat to cool intake air, restoring power output when it's valued most.
- Action: Cool inlet air from 45°C to 15°C.
- Result: Recover 5-7 MW lost capacity on hot days.
- Financials: ₹4-6 Crores added annual revenue.
- Payback: 2-3 Years.
Application 2: Plant Auxiliary Cooling
Replacing electric chillers (used for control rooms/offices) with exhaust-fired VAMs reduces parasitic load, increasing net sellable power.
- Avoids 560 kW parasitic load (800 TR cooling).
- Saves ₹2.45 Crores annually.
- Payback: 4-5 years (plus grid stability benefits).
Application 3: District & Process Cooling
Power plants can become "Trigeneration" hubs, supplying electricity, steam, and cooling to adjacent industrial zones or residential campuses.
- 1,500 TR Process Cooling from Turbine Exhaust.
- Displaces 1 MW electric load.
- Total Benefit: ₹7.86 Crores/Year. Payback: < 3 Years.
Head-to-Head: Exhaust-Fired VAM vs. Electric Chiller
| Metric (1,000 TR) | Electric Chiller | BROAD Exhaust VAM |
|---|---|---|
| CAPEX | ₹6-7 Crores | ₹12-15 Crores |
| Annual Op. Cost | ₹3.5 Crores (Lost Revenue) | ~₹0.2 Crores (Auxiliaries) |
| Net Plant Efficiency | Reduces by ~1% | Improves by ~0.5-1% |
Why BROAD for Power Plants?
- High-Temp Expertise: Proven designs for 450-550°C exhaust.
- Corrosion Resistance: Materials withstand exhaust condensate.
- Load Following: Controls adjust to fluctuating turbine loads automatically.
- Scalability: Modular units from 100 TR to 1,500 TR.
Transform waste heat into capacity. Contact BROAD for a feasibility analysis.
BROAD Air Conditioning India Pvt. Ltd. (BROAD India) is a subsidiary of BROAD Group.
Powered by
