Optimizing Sarcheshmeh Thermal Power Plant Performance: Strategies for Enhanced Steam and Thermal Energy Supply

The Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex utilizes a flash smelting furnace that produces a significant amount of recoverable waste heat. This energy is harnessed in waste-heat boilers to generate steam for a Rankine-cycle power plant and industrial dryers. Despite its potential, the current system operates below its design capacity of ۱۶.۵۴ MW—mainly due to reduced steam flow and inadequate thermal integration—compared with the former reverberatory furnace configuration. This study conducts a comprehensive thermodynamic and techno-economic evaluation of the existing plant and proposes five improvement scenarios to enhance overall energy utilization. The proposed modifications include optimized steam extraction for process drying, the integration of one or two gas turbines for combined heat and power generation, and the redistribution of steam within the plant’s utility network to achieve better load matching. Mass and energy balance modeling, supported by design data and process simulation, enables quantitative assessment of the proposed options. The results provide actionable insights into improving energy efficiency and economic performance in power systems.

کلیدواژه ها:

Thermal power plant ، Rankine cycle ، combined cycle gas turbine ، organic Rankine cycle ، waste‑heat recovery