An Empirically-Based Simulation Model for Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine Engines Using Treated Residual Fuel

An empirically-based engine simulation model was developed to analyze the operation of a heavy-duty gas turbine on ash-bearing fuel. The effect of the ash in the combustion products on turbine efficiency was determined employing field data. The model was applied to the prediction of the performance of an advanced-cooled turbine engine with a water-cooled first-stage nozzle, when operated with ash-bearing fuels. Experimental data from a turbine simulator rig were used to estimate the expected rates of ash deposit formation in the advanced-cooled turbine engine, so that the results could be compared with those for current engines. The results of the simulations indicate that the rate of decrease in engine power would be 32 percent less in the advanced-cooled engine with water cooling. An improvement in predicted specific fuel consumption performance was also noted, with a rate of increase of 38 percent for the advanced-cooled engine.