Abstract
This paper analyzed the problems associated with physical exergy splitting, and based on this, presented a new splitting method. This new method splits the physical exergy into three parts according to the feasible working ways, i.e.,: the direct, indirect, and adaptive exergy. The computational method and the physical meaning of the three exergy parts were presented in detail in terms of graphic representation and mathematical derivation. Then, it was applied to the exergy analysis of a thermal power cycle. The results show that compared with the conventional method which splits the physical exergy into thermal and mechanical parts, the current exergy splitting method can better represent the change rule of the working ability of the real working stream in the cycle and the influence of some operation parameters, such as the turbine inlet temperature, on the real working ability. The study suggests that the new method can make the exergy analysis more helpful and guidable in its applications.