Optimization Analysis of Heat Pump Driven by Steam Turbine Using Finite Time Thermodynamic Approach

th , 2012; revised: Jan. 10 th , 2013; accepted: Jan. 18 th , 2013 Abstract: A new compression heat pump system driven by a small steam turbine which used the steam extraction as the power was developed to recycle the heat of cooling water in power plant. Temperature reducing was replaced by a small turbine and the energy lost in the temperature reducing was recycled. The System was considered as consist of an irre- versible heat engine and an irreversible heat pump. Optimization was made on heat exchanger areas distribution. An optimal relation between performance coefficient of the system and heating load was obtained. The optimization model was tested and verified by a transformation of power plant in Dalian China. The results showed that internal irreversi- bility parameters have more drastic effect on performance reduction than any other external irreversibility parameters and the effects of the irreversible factors on the heat pump side was greater than the irreversible factors in the heat en- gine side on the system. Optimization results can provide guidance for the operation of the heat pump system driven by steam turbine.