Gas turbine cogeneration system without heat recovery steam generator for the drying of malt

This paper analyzes a cogeneration system without a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) applied to the drying of malt in a food industry. Characteristics of the present system are described, with projected expansion, which is analyzed by using a computational model. The model was applied for gas turbogroups both of appropriate size and availability in the market, and for operational lags between dryers. Qualitative indicators were obtained for each case and operating condition. The results gave considerably superior values than those that are achieved in conventional outlines with recovery boilers, and improve when the plant expands to two drying systems. It is concluded that the qualitative values obtained from a system without HRSG are superior to those with HRSG, and the computational program is adequate for the technical-economic analysis of the system.