3. Combined-cycle power plants

Considering that, for investment reasons (common materials), the maximum temperature of a conventional VMI cycle is around 560°C, and that the exhaust gas temperature of a gas turbine without recuperator is around 600°C, it seems possible to replace the combustion that usually takes place in the GV with a heat transfer between the gas turbine exhaust gases and the VMI water for its heating, vaporization and superheating. This consideration is the basis for the coupling of Joule and Hirn cycles, which has been practised for some years now, particularly when it comes to rehabilitating a conventional steam power plant [BE 8 905]