To investigate the potential of carbon emission monitoring technology in optimizing thermal power unit operations beyond the “double control” of emissions in thermal power enterprises

an F-class gas-steam combined cycle unit where a CO_2 monitoring system is installed at the tail chimney is selected to be discussed. Research is conducted using online fuel monitoring data from the front pressure regulating station and flue gas monitoring data from the rear chimney environmental protection measurement point. The results reveal that

in the high-load section

the flue gas monitoring carbon emission rate is consistently higher than the fuel monitoring rate

although both curves exhibit similar trends

indicating comparable yet offsetting data. For units operating at medium loads

atmospheric conditions are crucial. Elevated temperatures may increase heat loss

while reduced air pressure can minimize compressor energy consumption

thereby decreasing the unit's instantaneous carbon emission intensity.Among various parameters

adjusting the turbine expansion ratio

compressor pressure ratio

and steam fuel power ratio could be effective strategies to minimize carbon emissions without altering the unit load.