Advanced Power Plant Library

APP_Lib, the Advanced Power Plant Library is used for modelling a wide range of thermal power systems.

Advanced Power Plant + Gas Turbines Model Library (APP_Lib_GT)

APP_Lib_GT is a model library for building modular, equation-based performance models of thermal power generation systems—from conventional steam plants to CHP and combined cycles with gas turbines and HRSGs. It supports both design-point sizing and off-design / part-load simulation, enabling fast cycle studies, integration assessments, and realistic operational scenario analysis.

A key design philosophy of APP_Lib_GT is its fine-grained component approach. Instead of relying on a few “monolithic” blocks, the library tends toward smaller, well-defined components (e.g., individual heat-transfer sections, pressure-loss elements, mixing/splitting points, dedicated auxiliary models). This has two practical benefits:

  • Flexibility without sacrificing detail: Smaller building blocks let you represent real plant layouts more faithfully—especially when you need to capture bypasses, bleed flows, staged heat recovery, recirculation, or non-standard integration points—while still keeping the model structured and readable.

  • A strong compromise between accuracy and usability: You can start with a straightforward flowsheet using sensible defaults, then increase fidelity selectively where it matters (losses, temperature approach, part-load behavior, auxiliary demand) without turning the model into a one-off custom development.

In practice, this means APP_Lib_GT works well for both rapid concept screening (compare configurations and parameter sets) and engineering-grade refinement (quantify efficiency, losses, and constraints; test improvements; run sensitivities and optimization). The library includes a broad set of ready-to-connect unit models—covering turbomachinery, heat exchangers and heat recovery, combustion, piping/pressure losses, cooling, and auxiliaries—so you can focus on system decisions rather than rebuilding fundamentals.

For the exact technical scope (component list, supported working media, version info, and formal definitions), link to the specification here:
https://about.ipsego.app/embed/APP_Lib_GT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High-accuracy models for thermal and combined-cycle power plants

The Advanced Power Plant Library (APP_Lib) provides robust, ready-to-use models for power plant simulation, thermal system design, and process optimization within IPSEpro. It enables fast, reliable heat- and mass-balance calculations and supports both design and off-design analysis.

Model the full range of power cycles

APP_Lib covers everything from simple Rankine and Brayton cycles to complex CHP systems and advanced combined-cycle plants. It offers flexible components for:

  • Conventional thermal power plants
  • Cogeneration (CHP) plants
  • Combined cycle configurations
  • Custom plant layouts for research and optimization

Engineered for real-world engineering

  • Accurate thermodynamic component models
  • Minimal required input data
  • Optimized balance between usability and model depth
  • Ideal for feasibility studies, performance evaluations, and digital twins

Why engineers choose APP_Lib

  • Build detailed process and cycle simulations quickly
  • Evaluate and compare design options
  • Analyze off-design operation and system interactions
  • Fully integrated with the IPSEpro simulation platform

APP_Lib gives energy professionals the tools to design, analyze, and optimize modern thermal power systems with confidence.

 

 

 

 

It supports both design and off-design analysis.With the Advanced Power Plant Library the user can design and analyze any power plant, including:

  • Conventional Power Plants
  • Cogeneration Plants
  • Combined Cycle Plants

A process flowsheet using the Advanced Power Plant Library (APP_Lib) in IPSEpro.

The library supports both design of new plants as well as analysis and optimization of existing plants.  The component models included with the Advanced Power Plant Library represent an optimum balance between: 

  • ease of use
  • model accuracy
  • amount of required input data
  • flexibility

The Advanced Power Plant Library APP_Lib can be combined with other IPSEpro model libraries. It is frequently used together with the Gas Turbine Library (GT_Lib).