Extension of Fuel Flexibility in the Siemens Dry Low Emissions SGT-300-1S to Cover a Wobbe Index Range of 15 to 49 MJ/Sm3

Author(s):  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Varkey Alexander ◽  
Victoria Sanderson ◽  
Ghenadie Bulat

The extension of gas fuel flexibility in the Siemens SGT-300 single shaft (SGT-300-1S) is reported. A successful development program has increased the capability of the Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery, Lincoln (SITL) dry low emissions (DLE) burner configuration to a fuel range covering a Wobbe index (WI) from 15 to 49 MJ/Sm3. The WI reported in this paper is at a 15 °C fuel temperature. The standard SGT-300-1S SITL DLE combustion hardware allows for gas and liquid fuels within a specified range typically associated with natural gas and diesel, respectively. The range of the WI associated with natural gas is 37–49 MJ/Sm3. Field operation of the standard production SGT-300-1S has confirmed the reliable operation with an extension to the fuels range to include processed landfill gas (PLG) from 30 to 49 MJ/Sm3. The further extension of the fuel range for the SGT-300-1S SITL DLE combustion system was achieved through high pressure testing of a single combustion system at engine operating conditions and representative fuels. The variations in the fuel heating value were achieved by blending natural gas with diluent CO2 and/or N2. Various diagnostics were used to assess the performance of the combustion system, including the measurement of combustion dynamics, temperature, fuel supply pressure, and the emissions of NOx, CO, and unburned hydrocarbons (UHCs). The results of the testing showed that the standard production burner can operate for a fuel with a WI as low as 23 MJ/Sm3, which corresponds to 35% CO2 (by volume) in the fuel. This range can be extended to 15 MJ/Sm3 (54.5% CO2 in the fuel) with only minor modification to control losses through the burner and to maintain similar fuel injection characteristics. The SITL DLE combustion system is able to cover a WI range of 15 to 49 MJ/Sm3 in two configurations. The results of testing showed a lowering in the WI, by diluting with CO2 and/or N2, so that a benefit in the NOx reduction is observed. This decrease in the WI may lead to an increased requirement of the fuel supply pressure.

Author(s):  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Varkey Alexander ◽  
Victoria Sanderson ◽  
Ghenadie Bulat

The extension of gas fuel flexibility in the Siemens SGT-300 single shaft (SGT-300-1S) is reported in this paper. A successful development programme has increased the capability of the Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery, Lincoln (SITL) dry low emissions (DLE) burner configuration to a fuel range covering a Wobbe Index (WI) from 15 to 49 MJ/m3. The standard SGT-300-1S SITL DLE combustion hardware allowed for gas and liquid fuels within a specified range typically associated with natural gas and diesel, respectively. Field operation of the standard production SGT-300-1S has confirmed the reliable operation with an extension to the fuels range to include processed land fill gas (PLG) from 32 to 49 MJ/m3. The further extension of the fuel range for the SGT-300-1S SITL DLE combustion system was achieved through high pressure testing of a single combustion system at engine operating conditions. The rig facility allowed for the actual fuel type to be tested using a mixing plant. The variations in fuel heating value were achieved by blending natural gas with diluent CO2 and/or N2. Various diagnostics were used to assess the performance of the combustion system including measurement of combustion dynamics, temperature, fuel supply pressure and emissions of NOx, CO and unburned hydrocarbon (UHC). The results of the testing showed that the standard production burner can operate for a fuel with WI as low as 23 MJ/m3 which corresponds to 35% CO2 (in volume) in the fuel. This range can be extended to 15 MJ/m3 (54.5% CO2 in the fuel) with only minor modification, to control losses through the burner and to maintain similar fuel injection characteristics. The SITL DLE combustion system is able to cover a WI range of 15 to 49 MJ/m3 in two configurations. The results of testing showed a lowering in WI, from diluting with CO2 and/or N2, a benefit in NOx reduction is observed. This decrease in WI may lead to an increased requirement in fuel supply pressure.


Author(s):  
Phill Hubbard ◽  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Suresh Sadasivuni ◽  
Ghenadie Bulat

Extension of gas fuel flexibility of a current production standard SGT-400 industrial gas turbine combustor is reported in this paper. A successful development program has increased the capability of the standard production dry low emissions burner configuration to burn a range of fuels covering a temperature corrected wobbe index from 30 to 49 MJ/m3. A standard SGT-400 13.4 MW dry low emission double skinned combustor can was tested with a standard production gas burner for a cannular combustion system. Emissions, combustion dynamics, fuel pressure and flashback monitoring via measurement of burner metal temperatures, were the main parameters used to evaluate the impact of fuel flexibility on combustor performance. High pressure rig tests were carried out to demonstrate the capabilities of the combustion system at engine operating conditions across a wide range of ambient conditions. Variations of the fuel heating value were achieved by blending natural gas with CO2 as diluent. The standard SGT-400 combustion system employs proven dry low emissions technology for natural gas and liquid fuels such as diesel within a specified range of fuel heating values. With the aid of novel intelligent control software, the gas fuel capability of the SGT-400 standard dry low emissions burner has been extended, with the engine, achieving stable operation and reduced emissions across the load range despite variations of the composition of the fuel supply. This, combined with previous experience from high pressure rig and engine testing of the different burner configurations that covered this range, resulted in a reduction in the number of hardware configurations from three burners to two. Testing showed that the standard production burner can reliably operate with a fuel temperature controlled wobbe index as low as 30 MJ/m3 which corresponds to 20% CO2 (by volume) in the fuel. The performance of four different fuels with heating values in terms of temperature controlled wobbe index: 30, 33, 35 and 45 MJ/m3 (natural gas), is presented for the current production hardware. Test results show that NOx emissions decrease as the fuel heating value is reduced. Also note that a decreasing temperature controlled wobbe index leads to a requirement to increase the fuel supply pressure. The tests results obtained on the Siemens SGT-400 combustion system provide significant improvement for industrial gas turbine burner design for fuel flexibility.


Author(s):  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Phill Hubbard ◽  
Suresh Sadasivuni ◽  
Ghenadie Bulat

Extension of gas fuel flexibility of a current production SGT-400 industrial gas turbine combustor system is reported in this paper. A SGT-400 engine with hybrid combustion system configuration to meet a customer's specific requirements was string tested. This engine was tested with the gas turbine package driver unit and the gas compressor-driven unit to operate on and switch between three different fuels with temperature-corrected Wobbe index (TCWI) varying between 45 MJ/m3, 38 MJ/m3, and 30 MJ/m3. The alteration of fuel heating value was achieved by injection or withdrawal of N2 into or from the fuel system. The results show that the engine can maintain stable operation on and switching between these three different fuels with fast changeover rate of the heating value greater than 10% per minute without shutdown or change in load condition. High-pressure rig tests were carried out to demonstrate the capabilities of the combustion system at engine operating conditions across a wide range of ambient conditions. Variations of the fuel heating value, with Wobbe index (WI) of 30 MJ/Sm3, 33 MJ/Sm3, 35 MJ/Sm3, and 45 MJ/Sm3 (natural gas, NG) at standard conditions, were achieved by blending NG with CO2 as diluent. Emissions, combustion dynamics, fuel pressure, and flashback monitoring via measurement of burner metal temperatures, were the main parameters used to evaluate the impact of fuel flexibility on combustor performance. Test results show that NOx emissions decrease as the fuel heating value is reduced. Also note that a decreasing fuel heating value leads to a requirement to increase the fuel supply pressure. Effect of fuel heating value on combustion was investigated, and the reduction in adiabatic flame temperature and laminar flame speed was observed for lower heating value fuels. The successful development program has increased the capability of the SGT-400 standard production dry low emissions (DLE) burner configuration to operate with a range of fuels covering a WI corrected to the normal conditions from 30 MJ/N·m3 to 49 MJ/N·m3. The tests results obtained on the Siemens SGT-400 combustion system provide significant experience for industrial gas turbine burner design for fuel flexibility.


Author(s):  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Pete Martin ◽  
Victoria Sanderson ◽  
Phill Hubbard

The influence of changes in fuel composition and heating value on the performance of an industrial gas turbine combustor was investigated. The combustor tested was a single cannular combustor for Siemens SGT-400 13.4 MW dry low emission engine. Ignition, engine starting, emissions, combustion dynamics, and flash back through burner metal temperature monitoring were among the parameters investigated to evaluate the impact of fuel flexibility on combustor performance. Lean ignition and extinction limits were measured for three fuels with different heat values in term of Wobbe Index (WI): 25, 28.9, and 45 MJ/Sm3 (natural gas). The test results show that the air fuel ratio at lean ignition/extinction limits decreases and the margin between the two limits tends to be smaller as fuel heat value decreases. Engine start tests were also performed with a lower heating value fuel and results were found to be comparable to those for engine starting with natural gas. The combustor was further tested in a high pressure air facility at real engine operating conditions with different fuels covering WIs from 17.5 to 70 MJ/Sm3. The variation in fuel composition and heating value was achieved in a gas mixing plant by blending natural gas with CO2, CO, N2, and H2 (for the fuel with WI lower than natural gas) and C3H8 (for the fuel with WI higher than natural gas). Test results show that a benefit in NOx reduction can be seen for the lower WI fuels without H2 presence in the fuel and there are no adverse impacts on combustor performance except for the requirement of higher fuel supply pressure, however, this can be easily resolved by minor modification through the fuel injection design. Test results for the H2 enriched and higher WI fuels show that NOx, combustion dynamics and flash back have been adversely affected and major change in burner design is required. For the H2 enriched fuel, the effect of CO and H2 on combustor performance was also investigated for the fuels having a fixed WI of 29 MJ/Sm3. It is found that H2 dominates the adverse impact on combustor performance. The chemical kinetic study shows that H2 has significant effect on flame speed change and CO has significant effect on flame temperature change. Although the tests were performed on the Siemens SGT-400 combustion system, the results provide general guidance for the challenge of industrial gas turbine burner design for fuel flexibility.


Author(s):  
Kexin Liu ◽  
Pete Martin ◽  
Victoria Sanderson ◽  
Phill Hubbard

The influence of changes in fuel composition and heating value on the performance of an industrial gas turbine combustor was investigated. The combustor tested was a single cannular combustor for Siemens SGT-400 13.4 MW dry low emission (DLE) engine. Ignition, engine starting, emissions, combustion dynamics and flash back through burner metal temperature monitoring were among the parameters investigated to evaluate the impact of fuel flexibility on combustor performance. Lean ignition and extinction limits were measured for three fuels with different heat values in term of Wobbe Index (WI): 25, 28.9 and 45 MJ/Sm3 (natural gas). The test results show that the air fuel ratio (AFR) at lean ignition/extinction limits decreases and the margin between the two limits tends to be smaller as fuel heat value decreases. Engine start tests were also performed with a lower heating value fuel and results were found to be comparable to those for engine starting with natural gas. The combustor was further tested in a high pressure air facility at real engine operating conditions with different fuels covering WIs from 17.5 to 70 MJ/Sm3. The variation in fuel composition and heating value was achieved in a gas mixing plant by blending natural gas with CO2, CO, N2 and H2 (for the fuel with WI lower than natural gas) and C3H8 (for the fuel with WI higher than natural gas). Test results show that a benefit in NOx reduction can be seen for the lower WI fuels without H2 presence in the fuel and there are no adverse impacts on combustor performance except for the requirement of higher fuel supply pressure, however, this can be easily resolved by minor modification through the fuel injection design. Test results for the H2 enriched and higher WI fuels show that NOx, combustion dynamics and flash back have been adversely affected and major change in burner design is required. For the H2 enriched fuel, the effect of CO and H2 on combustor performance was also investigated for the fuels having a fixed WI of 29 MJ/Sm3. It is found that H2 dominates the adverse impact on combustor performance. The chemical kinetic study shows that H2 has significant effect on flame speed change and CO has significant effect on flame temperature change. Although the tests were performed on the Siemens SGT-400 combustion system, the results provide general guidance for the challenge of industrial gas turbine burner design for fuel flexibility.


Author(s):  
Mats Andersson ◽  
Anders Larsson ◽  
Arturo Manrique Carrera

Associated gases at oil wells are often rich in heavy hydrocarbons (HHC, here denoting hydrocarbons heavier than propane). HHC cause handling difficulties and the combustion properties are quite different from standard natural gas. For this and other reasons HHC rich associated gases are often flared or vented. This is an enormous waste of useable energy and a significant contribution to emissions of pollutants, global CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB in Finspong (SIT AB) recently tested a standard DLE 25 MW SGT-600 gas turbine and a standard 31 MW SGT-700 gas turbine with HHC rich natural gas. Pentane was chosen as a model substance for HHC. The tested gases had up to 30% of the fuel heating value from pentane. The unmodified standard DLE gas turbines proved to be very tolerant to the tested pentane rich gases. CO emissions were reduced with increasing pentane content in the fuel for the same power output. NOx was observed to increase linearly with the pentane content. Combustion dynamics was affected mildly, but noticeably by the pentane rich fuel. This result, together with earlier presented results for the same DLE engines on nitrogen rich natural gases, gives an accepted and tested total LHV range of 25–50 MJ/kg and Wobbe index range of 25–55 MJ/Nm3. No special adaptation of the gas turbines was necessary for allowing this wide fuel range. The benefit of increased and proven fuel flexibility is obvious as it allows the gas turbine owner to make full use of opportunity fuels and to supply power at low fuel cost.


Author(s):  
K. Michael Düsing ◽  
Andrea Ciani ◽  
Urs Benz ◽  
Adnan Eroglu ◽  
Klaus Knapp

The recent development of the Alstom’s sequential combustion system for the GT24 (60Hz) and GT26 (50Hz) upgrades 2011 is a perfect example of evolutionary design optimizations. Better overall performance is achieved through improved SEV burner aerodynamics and fuel injection, while keeping the main features of the sequential burner technology. In particular this results in further reduced NOx and CO emissions over widest possible load range and allows operation with fuel gases with up to 18% of higher hydrocarbons (C2+) or a low Wobbe index. An extensive validation of the new sequential burners for GT24 and GT26 has been conducted, with a wide range of validation tools. This has included high pressure sector rig testing and full-engine tests at the Alstom Power Plant Birr, Switzerland. This paper presents the development and validation process, in terms of evolutionary design modifications and successful burner scaling, of the GT24 and GT26 (upgrades 2011) reheat combustors from concept phase to engine validation.


Author(s):  
Nicola Giannini ◽  
Alessandro Zucca ◽  
Christian Romano ◽  
Gianni Ceccherini

Today’s Oil & Gas facility market requires enlarging machines’ fuel flexibility toward two main directions: on the one hand burning fuels with high percentages of Ethane, Butane and Propane, on the other hand burning very lean fuels with a high percentage of inerts. GE has extensive experience in burning a variety of gas fuels and blends in heavy-duty gas turbines. From a technical point of view, the tendency towards leaner fuel gases for feeding gas turbines, introduces potential risks related to combustion instability, on both combustion hardware and machines’ operability. GE Oil&Gas (Nuovo Pignone), has developed a new program aimed to extend the fuel flexibility of its Low-NOx diffusion flame combustor (Lean Head End, or LHE), which currently equips single and dual shaft 30 MW gas turbines, so that it can handle low-LHV fuels. A fuel flexibility test campaign was carried out at full and partial load conditions over an ambient and fuel range, in order to investigate both ignition limits and combustor performances, focusing on hot parts’ temperatures, pollutant emissions and combustion driven pressure oscillations. The pressurized tests were performed on a single combustion chamber, using a dedicated full-scale (full-pressure, full-temperature and full-flow) combustor test cell. Variable composition gaseous fuel mixtures, obtained by mixing natural gas with N2 from 0% up to about 50% vol., were tested. The experienced LHE combustion system up to now had been fed only with natural gas in multi can single gas combustion systems. Combustion system modifications and different burner configurations were considered to enlarge system capabilities, in order to accommodate operation on the previous mentioned range of fuel mixtures, including: nozzle orifice sizing and combustor liner modification. This paper aims to illustrate the upgraded technology and the results obtained. Reported data show combustion system’s performances, mainly in terms of pollutant emissions and operability. The performed test campaign demonstrated the system’s ability to operate at all required loads with diluted natural gases containing up to 50% vol. of N2. Results also indicate that ignition is possible with the same inerts concentration in the fuel, keeping the fuel flow at moderately low levels. As far as load operation, the combustion system proved to be almost insensitive to any tested inerts concentration, while a huge reduction of NOx emissions was observed increasing the molar fraction of N2 in the fuel gas, maintaining good flame stability.


Author(s):  
Ranjith Malapaty ◽  
Suresh M. V. J. J.

The world is facing complex and mounting environmental challenges. Increased fuel costs and increased market capacity in power generation markets is driving a transformation in power plant operations. Power plants are seeking ways to maximize revenue potential during peak conditions and minimize operational costs during off-peak conditions. Although proven natural gas reserves have increased globally by nearly 50% over the last 20 years, much of this growth has been focused in select regions and countries. In parallel to the discovery of new reserves is the increase in power demand across the globe. However, there are many regions of the globe in which power demand is not being matched by increased local supplies of natural gas, or in infrastructure required to supply natural gas to power generation assets. Given these drivers, there is growing global interest in LNG & alternate fuels. This phenomenon is driving a trend to explore the potential of using LNG fuels which can be easily transported across the globe as an alternative for power generation. In a carbon-constrained environment, the technology trend is for combustion systems capable of burning LNG fuel in combination with delivering the required operability. This paper will focus on developments in GE’s heavy duty gas turbines that enable operation on fuels with varying properties, providing fuel flexibility for sustainable power generation and better emissions compliance. GE’s turbine control system employs physics-based models of gas turbine operability boundaries (e.g., emissions, combustion dynamics, etc.), to continuously estimate current boundary levels and make adjustments as required.


Author(s):  
S. Bücheler ◽  
A. Huber ◽  
M. Aigner

A promising technology solution to meet the demands for highly efficient and clean CHP systems with the highest load and fuel flexibility is the SOFC/MGT hybrid power plant concept (HPP). In this concept, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is combined with a micro gas turbine (MGT) to use the hot and low-caloric SOFC off-gases for further energy production. In this study, the focus is set on the development of a suitable single-stage jet-stabilized combustor which combines the functionality of a gas turbine combustor and a SOFC off-gas burner for low-caloric SOFC off-gases at combustor inlet temperatures up to 1073 K. To experimentally characterize the newly developed SOFC off-gas combustion system beyond the turbine operating conditions in the HPP, atmospheric tests were carried out. The anode and cathode flows within the test series are provided without the SOFC being in place. Reflecting the resulting SOFC off-gas conditions at different possible HPP operating points, the results from variations of the cathode and anode mass flow rates, the O2 content and the LHV were carried out and are presented. The off-gas burner proves a wide operational stability of the combustion concept with CO emissions below 10 ppm and NOx emissions below 3 ppm. The shape and location of the flame is investigated using the OH* signal detected by an ICCD camera.


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