Performance optimization of dry-cooling systems for power plants through SQP methods

Abstract In this study the application of modern optimization techniques to obtain cost optimal design and performance of dry-cooling systems for power plant applications, is illustrated. The Sequential Quadratic Programming (SQP) method, as well as a SQP decomposition technique are implemented. It is shown that through the proper application of these powerful optimization strategies and careful tailoring of the well-constructed optimization model, direct optimization of complex models does not need to be time-consuming and difficult. The optimal results and trends that one is able to obtain by means of the efficient computational procedures discussed in this paper, pose a challenge and establish new design and performance practices to designers, manufacturers and operators. The degree of optimization that is ultimately achieved in such an economic optimization analysis and its value to a design engineer, are functions of the sophistication of the design program, the expertise of the user, the cost-estimating procedure and the quality of the input data.

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