DIMAP: a Modular Computer Code for the Thermodynamic, Exergetic and Thermoeconomic Simulation of Energy Systems

The increasing complexity of energy conversion plants, aimed at obtaining higher efficiencies with lower environmental impact, requires the availability of suitable computer codes, flexible and precise. These codes can be used not only in designing the plants, but also in simulating actual design and off-design operation, in scheduling maintenance, in deciding replacement of obsolete components, etc. Modular simulators can often help in simulating complex energy systems, having many components which may be assembled in different ways and are affected by several internal recirculation flows. The code DIMAP is presented here, emphasizing its simple mathematical method of solution. DIMAP can perform both exergetic and thermoeconomic analysis, supplying information on the exergetic and monetary costs of the internal flows and of the final products. The calculations can be carried out over a selected period of time, in order to predict the weighted average performances of the plants working under variable loads.