Gas Turbine Recuperator Technology Advancements

Author(s):  
C. F. McDonald

Because of intense development in the aircraft gas turbine field over the last 30 years, the fixed boundary recuperator has received much less development attention than the turbomachinery, and is still proving to be the nemesis of the small gas turbine design engineer. For operation on cheap fuel, such as natural gas, the simple cycle-engine is the obvious choice, but where more expensive liquid fuels are to be burned, the economics of gas turbine operation can be substantially improved by incorporating an efficient, reliable recuperator. For many industrial, vehicular, marine, and utility applications it can be shown that the gas turbine is a more attractive prime mover than either the diesel engine or steam turbine. For some military applications the fuel logistics situation shows the recuperative gas turbine to be the most effective power plant. For small nuclear Brayton cycle space power systems the recuperator is an essential component for high overall plant efficiency, and hence reduced thermal rejection to the environment. Data are presented to show that utilization of compact efficient heat transfer surfaces developed primarily for aerospace heat exchangers, can result in a substantial reduction in weight and volume, for industrial, vehicular, marine, and nuclear gas turbine recuperators. With the increase in overall efficiency of the recuperative cycle (depending on the level of thermal effectiveness, and the size and type of plant), the cost of the heat exchanger can often be paid for in fuel savings, after only a few hundred hours of operation. Heat exchanger surface geometries and fabrication techniques, together with specific recuperator sizes for different applications, are presented. Design, performance, structural, manufacturing, and economic aspects of compact heat exchanger technology, as applied to the gas turbine, are discussed in detail, together with projected future trends in this field.

Author(s):  
Robert F. Steele ◽  
Dale C. Paul ◽  
Torgeir Rui

Since the early 1990’s there have been significant changes in the gas turbine, and power generation market place. The ‘F-Class’ Gas Turbines, with higher firing temperatures, single crystal materials, increased compressor pressure ratios and low emission combustion systems that were introduced in the early 1990’s have gained significant field experience. Many of the issues experienced by these new product introductions have been addressed. The actual reliability growth and current performance of these advanced technology machines will be examined. Additionally, the operating profiles anticipated for many of the units installed during this period has been impacted by both changes in the anticipated demand and increases in fuel costs, especially the cost of natural gas. This paper will review how these changes have impacted the Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability performance of gas turbines. Data from the ORAP® System, maintained by Strategic Power Systems, Inc, will be utilized to examine the actual RAM performance over the past 10 to 15 years in relation to goals and expectations. Specifically, this paper will examine the reliability growth of the F-Class turbines since the 1990’s and examine the reliability impact of duty cycle on RAM performance.


Author(s):  
H. S. Bloomfield

The potential benefits of solar/fossil hybrid gas turbine power systems were assessed. Both retrofit and new systems were considered from the aspects of: cost of electricity, fuel conservation, operational mode, technology requirements, and fuels flexibility. Hybrid retrofit (repowering) of existing combustion (simple Brayton cycle) turbines can provide near-term fuel savings and solar experience, while new and advanced recuperated or combined-cycle systems may be an attractive fuel saving and economically competitive vehicle to transition from today’s gas- and oil-fired powerplants to other more abundant fuels.


1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Misiowiec ◽  
Tim McElwee ◽  
Sal DellaVilla

Gas turbine design evolution and practice is driven by industry demand for increased output and improved operating efficiencies. New aerothermal design characteristics require a focus on improved materials and coatings, and cooling techniques. As environmental issues continue to confront the industry, Dry Low NOx combustion system designs represent a significant opportunity for meeting new emissions requirements. These issues represent opportunity for significant technology improvements and industry driven advances. However, just as important is the design evolution of the Control and Auxiliary systems which support the gas turbine. Historically, these support systems, as demonstrated by the Operational Reliability Analysis Program (ORAP), are typically the primary drivers of plant Availability and Reliability. Following a rigorous “Design for Reliability” approach provides opportunities for ensuring that the design meets three critical requirements: starting reliability, a minimum of unit shutdowns during operating demand periods and ease of maintenance. The design approach for the Control and Auxiliary systems for new turbine design (product improvement) therefore provides an opportunity for developing a uniform and standardized approach which continues to focus on Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability. This design approach also provides opportunities for improved field installation and reduced cycle time, a major benefit for the end user. This paper will describe the “Design for Reliability” approach followed by ABB Power Generation, Inc., and supported by Strategic Power Systems, Inc.® (SPS) for the GT11N2 auxiliary systems. The extension of the ORAP system for auxiliary systems will be discussed as the approach for monitoring unit Availability and Reliability, maintaining configuration control, and for promoting continuous improvement.


Author(s):  
J. Shapiro ◽  
A. Levy

High power/weight ratio and low SFC are the most important requirements for an airborne engine. This may be achieved by a gas turbine engine with an intermediate heat exchanger, combined with a double-decked compressor-turbine design. In this engine, the specific fuel consumption is minimal at 70% of maximum power output for best fuel economy in helicopter engines. The additional weight, due to its design, is compensated by fuel saved in less than one hour flight for a 926 kW cruise power engine.


1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Coombs

This paper describes the development of a silicon carbide heat exchanger for the CCPS-40-1 closed-cycle gas turbine engine. This effort was part of a program to explore the use of closed-cycle power systems for utilities. The program consists of heat exchanger design, the development of a design approach for large ceramic components, the establishment of a material data base, and the development of the required fabrication technology. Small-scale ceramic heat exchangers were operated at material temperatures up to 2300 F.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 6745
Author(s):  
Mahmoud A. Khader ◽  
Mohsen Ghavami ◽  
Jafar Al-Zaili ◽  
Abdulnaser I. Sayma

This paper presents an experimentally validated computational study of heat transfer within a compact recuperated Brayton cycle microturbine. Compact microturbine designs are necessary for certain applications, such as solar dish concentrated power systems, to ensure a robust rotodynamic behaviour over the wide operating envelope. This study aims at studying the heat transfer within a 6 kWe micro gas turbine to provide a better understanding of the effect of heat transfer on its components’ performance. This paper also investigates the effect of thermal losses on the gas turbine performance as a part of a solar dish micro gas turbine system and its implications on increasing the size and the cost of such system. Steady-state conjugate heat transfer analyses were performed at different speeds and expansion ratios to include a wide range of operating conditions. The analyses were extended to examine the effects of insulating the microturbine on its thermodynamic cycle efficiency and rated power output. The results show that insulating the microturbine reduces the thermal losses from the turbine side by approximately 11% without affecting the compressor’s performance. Nonetheless, the heat losses still impose a significant impact on the microturbine performance, where these losses lead to an efficiency drop of 7.1% and a net output power drop of 6.6% at the design point conditions.


Author(s):  
James L. Younghans ◽  
James E. Johnson ◽  
Steven J. Csonka

A methodology is discussed which allows quantification of uncertainty in the gas turbine design and analysis process. The methodology can be employed to rank order the cost effectiveness of advanced component technologies or alternatively can be used to determine probable performance (SFC and Thrust) of engines which have component performance uncertainties. Execution of the methodology requires a desk top computer and commercially available software.


1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. Nutkis

The Exxon Research pressurized fluidized bed coal combustion pilot plant, known as the miniplant, has been in operation since 1974. Constructed under EPA contract, this facility operates at pressures to 10 atm, bed velocities to 10 ft/sec and temperatures to 1800 F. It can burn 400 lb of coal per hour and has operated for over 2500 test hours. Under a program sponsored by the U. S. Department of Energy, the Exxon pressurized fluidized bed coal combustion miniplant provided a test site and environment for the exposure of specimens of potential PFBCC fireside heat exchanger alloys and gas turbine materials. The intent of these PFBCC exposure tests is to compile a suitable engineering data base for the characterization of the corrosion/erosion behavior of a number of commercially available alloys when exposed to a pressurized fluidized bed coal combustion environment. These PFBCC exposures will provide corrosion/erosion data and comparisons of materials for application to advanced gas turbine/combined cycle type power systems using coal.


Author(s):  
Ihor S. Diakunchak ◽  
Mark P. Krush ◽  
Gerard McQuiggan ◽  
Leslie R. Southall

This paper describes the status of Westinghouse’s Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) Program. This program was undertaken in response to U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy requirements for greater than 60% net plant thermal efficiency, less than 10 parts per million NOx emissions, 10% reduction in the cost of electricity and state-of-the-art Reliability-Availability-Maintainability (RAM) levels (Ali and Zeh, 1996). An extensive four-year program was undertaken to develop the required technologies and design an advanced gas turbine. The gas turbine design and most of the technology verification programs have been completed. The 501 ATS engine employed innovative aerodynamic, combustor, cooling, sealing, and mechanical designs, as well as advanced materials, coatings, and casting technologies to achieve the program goals. The incorporation of the 501 ATS gas turbine in a world-class combined cycle plant will result in more than 420 MW net output power and greater than 60% net LHV based plant thermal efficiency.


1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Younghans ◽  
J. E. Johnson ◽  
S. J. Csonka

A methodology is discussed that allows quantification of uncertainty in the gas turbine design and analysis process. The methodology can be employed to rank order the cost effectiveness of advanced component technologies or alternatively can be used to determine probable performance (sfc and thrust) of engines that have component performance uncertainties. Execution of the methodology requires a desktop computer and commercially available software.


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