Fuel Flexibility Influences on Premixed Combustor Blowout, Flashback, Autoignition and Instability

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Lieuwen ◽  
Vince McDonell ◽  
Eric Petersen ◽  
Domenic Santavicca
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Dynamic Stability ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Fuel Flexibility ◽  
Lean Premixed ◽  
Gas Fuel ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Underlying Processes

This paper addresses the impact of fuel composition on the operability of lean premixed gas turbine combustors. This is an issue of current importance due to variability in the composition of natural gas fuel supplies and interest in the use of syngas fuels. Of particular concern is the effect of fuel composition on combustor blowout, flashback, dynamic stability, and autoignition. This paper reviews available results and current understanding of the effects of fuel composition on the operability of lean premixed combustors. It summarizes the underlying processes that must be considered when evaluating how a given combustor’s operability will be affected as fuel composition is varied.

Fuel Flexibility Influences on Premixed Combustor Blowout, Flashback, Autoignition, and Stability

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Lieuwen ◽  
Vince McDonell ◽  
Eric Petersen ◽  
Domenic Santavicca
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Dynamic Stability ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Fuel Flexibility ◽  
Lean Premixed ◽  
Gas Fuel ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Underlying Processes

This paper addresses the impact of fuel composition on the operability of lean premixed gas turbine combustors. This is an issue of current importance due to variability in the composition of natural gas fuel supplies and interest in the use of syngas fuels. This paper reviews available results and current understanding of the effects of fuel composition on combustor blowout, flashback, dynamic stability, and autoignition. It summarizes the underlying processes that must be considered when evaluating how a given combustor’s operability will be affected as fuel composition is varied.

scholarly journals Impact of Ethane and Propane Variation in Natural Gas on the Performance of a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 701-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Flores ◽  
V. G. McDonell ◽  
G. S. Samuelsen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Present System ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Air Mixing ◽  
Gas Fuel ◽  
Model Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
The Impact

In the area of stationary power generation, there exists a growing interest in understanding the role that gaseous fuel composition plays on the performance of natural gas-fired gas turbine systems. In this study, an atmospherically fired model gas turbine combustor with a fuel flexible fuel/air premixer is employed to investigate the impact of significant amounts of ethane and propane addition into a baseline natural gas fuel supply. The impacts of these various fuel compositions, in terms of the emissions of NOx and CO, and the coupled impact of the degree of fuel/air mixing, are captured explicitly for the present system by means of a statistically oriented testing methodology. These explicit expressions are also compared to emissions maps that encompass and expand beyond the statistically based test matrix to verify the validity of the employed statistical approach.

scholarly journals Impact of Ethane and Propane Variation in Natural Gas on the Performance of a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Flores ◽  
V. G. McDonell ◽  
G. S. Samuelsen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Statistical Approach ◽  
Present System ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Air Mixing ◽  
Gas Fuel ◽  
Model Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
The Impact

In the area of stationary power generation, there exists a growing interest in understanding the role that gaseous fuel composition plays on the performance of natural gas-fired gas turbine systems. In this study, an atmospherically fired model gas turbine combustor with a fuel flexible fuel/air premixer is employed to investigate the impact of significant amounts of ethane and propane addition into a baseline natural gas fuel supply. The impacts of these various fuel compositions, in terms of the emissions of NOX and CO, and the coupled impact of the degree of fuel/air mixing, are captured explicitly for the present system by means of a statistically oriented testing methodology. These explicit expressions are also compared to emissions maps that encompass and expand beyond the statistically based test matrix to verify the validity of the employed statistical approach.

Impact of Ethane, Propane, and Diluent Content in Natural Gas on the Performance of a Commercial Microturbine Generator

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Hack ◽  
Vincent G. McDonell
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
Methane Number ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lean Conditions

The impact of fuel composition on the performance of power generation devices is gaining interest as the desire to diversify fuel supplies increases. In the present study, measurements of combustion performance were conducted on a commercial natural gas-fired 60kW gas turbine as a function of fuel composition. A statistically designed experiment was carried out and exhaust emissions were obtained for significant amounts of ethane and propane. In addition, a limited study of the effect of inerts was conducted. The results show that emissions of NOx, CO, and NOx∕NO are not well correlated with common descriptions of the fuel, such as higher heating value or methane number. The results and trends indicate that the presence of higher hydrocarbons in the fuel leads to appreciably higher NOx emissions for both test devices operating under similar lean conditions, while having less impact on CO emissions.

Reactor Network Modeling of Stability and Emissions of Hydrogen and Natural Gas Blends for a Piloted Gas Turbine Combustor

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candy Hernandez ◽  
Vincent McDonell
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Chemical Reactor ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Gas Turbine Combustor ◽  
Flammability Limits ◽  
Lean Premixed ◽  
Carbon Molecules

Abstract Lean-premixed (LPM) gas turbines have been developed for stationary power generation in efforts to reduce emissions due to strict air quality standards. Lean-premixed operation is beneficial as it reduces combustor temperatures, thus decreasing NOx formation and unburned hydrocarbons. However, tradeoffs occur between system performance and turbine emissions. Efforts to minimize tradeoffs between stability and emissions include the addition of hydrogen to natural gas, a common fuel used in stationary gas turbines. The addition of hydrogen is promising for both increasing combustor stability and further reducing emissions because of its wide flammability limits allowing for lower temperature operation, and lack of carbon molecules. Other efforts to increase gas turbine stability include the usage of a non-lean pilot flame to assist in stabilizing the main flame. By varying fuel composition for both the main and piloted flows of a gas turbine combustor, the effect of hydrogen addition on performance and emissions can be systematically evaluated. In the present work, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and chemical reactor networks (CRN) are created to evaluate stability (LBO) and emissions of a gas turbine combustor by utilizing fuel and flow rate conditions from former hydrogen and natural gas experimental results. With CFD and CRN analysis, the optimization of parameters between fuel composition and main/pilot flow splits can provide feedback for minimizing pollutants while increasing stability limits. The results from both the gas turbine model and former experimental results can guide future gas turbine operation and design.

Impact of Fuel Composition on Blow Off and Flashback in Swirl Stabilized Lean Premixed Combustion

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Akbari ◽  
Vincent McDonell ◽  
Scott Samuelsen
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Combustion Properties ◽  
Lean Premixed ◽  
The Impact

Co firing of natural gas with renewable fuels such as hydrogen can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and meet other sustainability considerations. At the same time, adding hydrogen to natural gas alters combustion properties, such as burning speeds, heating values, flammability limits, and chemical characteristics. It is important to identify how combustion stability relates to fuel mixture composition in industrial gas turbines and burners and correlate such behavior to fuel properties or operating conditions. Ultimately, it is desired to predict and prevent operability issues when designing a fuel flexible gas turbine combustor. Fuel interchangeability is used to describe the ability of a substitute fuel composition to replace a baseline fuel without significantly altering performance and operation. Any substitute fuel, while maintaining the same heating load as the baseline fuel, must also provide stable combustion with low pollutant emissions. Interchangeability indices try to predict the impact of fuel composition on lean blowoff and flashback. Correlations for operability limits have been reported, though results are more consistent for blowoff compared to flashback. Yet, even for blowoff, some disagreement regarding fuel composition effects are evident. In the present work, promising correlations and parameters for lean blow off and flashback in a swirl stabilized lean premixed combustor are evaluated. Measurements are conducted for fuel compositions ranging from pure natural gas to pure hydrogen under different levels of preheat and air flow rates. The results are used to evaluate the ability of existing approaches to predict blowoff and flashback. The results show that, while a Damköhler number approach for blowoff is promising, important considerations are required in applying the method. For flashback, the quench constant parameter suggested for combustion induced vortex breakdown was applied and found to have limited success for predicting flashback in the present configuration.

Effect of Variation of Fuel Composition on Gas Turbine Off-Design Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 666 ◽  
pp. 194-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Suel Park ◽  
Saemi Park ◽  
Joong Seong Lee ◽  
Gyung Min Choi
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Metal Temperature ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Control Scheme ◽  
Control Schemes ◽  
Gas Fuel

The effects of fuel composition is investigated in a gas turbine for natural gas. Fuel composition is divided H/C ratio and heating value. There are three control schemes for gas turbine. In this study, TIT control and TET control is adopted. A full off-design analysis of the gas turbine was performed. Performance characteristics and maximum turbine blade temperature are the main interests. The power output is decreased while heating value of fuel is increased and H/C ratio of fuel is decreased both control scheme. As heating value of natural gas decreased and H/C ratio of fuel increased, turbine blade temperature is increased in TIT control. Otherwise, Blade metal temperature is little influenced by H/C ratio of fuel in TET control scheme.

Improvement of Premixed Gas Turbine Combustion System Fuel Flexibility With Increased Hydrogen Consumption in a Renewable Market Place

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Bullard ◽  
Alexander Steinbrenner ◽  
Peter Stuttaford ◽  
Dennis Jansen ◽  
Theo de Bruijne
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Field Testing ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Additional Advantage ◽  
Hydrogen Consumption ◽  
Process Gas ◽  
Fuel Flexibility ◽  
Gas Fuel

Gas turbine flexibility is key in markets with significant renewable energy resources. Operational load flexibility and fuel flexibility ensure the gas turbine remains competitive in supporting power generation in renewable markets. For applications where heat is required in support of a process industry the gas turbine offers an additional advantage. Alternate fuels such as hydrogen are generated as byproducts from chemical processing plants. Hydrogen also has the ability to be a ‘battery fuel’ as excess energy produced by wind and solar can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This work focuses on the retrofit and commercial introduction of significant quantities of hydrogen fuel into the gas supply of an existing commercial E-class gas turbine in Europe. The commercially operating plant provides combined heat (in the form of process steam) and power. The gas turbine operates with a lean premixed combustor without the need for diluent injection, and is able to operate flexibly with hydrogen mixed into the base natural gas fuel supply. The fuel mixing allows consumption of a chemical plant process gas resulting in positive economic and environmental benefit. This involves several considerations including combustor control/operation, safe flashback margin, emissions, stability and hardware durability. Enhancements to the control system through an automated combustor tuning package which is able to compensate real time for fluctuations in fuel gas constituents was implemented. Significant testing of the fuel flexible concept in a full scale high pressure combustor test facility was performed to ensure the desired increase in hydrogen consumption could be achieved. The experience, in addition to adaptations for field testing, was used to test and validate a new long term operational limit of 25% hydrogen content in the fuel. The success of the test campaign allows reduction in natural gas fuel consumption and cost, reduction in flaring of product waste gas, with a reduced power plant CO2 footprint. The development program and engine field testing substantiation are described in detail herein.

Effect of Natural Gas Composition on Low NOx Burners Operation in Heavy Duty Gas Turbine

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serena Romano ◽  
Matteo Cerutti ◽  
Giovanni Riccio ◽  
Antonio Andreini ◽  
Christian Romano
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Gas Composition ◽  
Heavy Duty ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Annular Combustor ◽  
Heavy Duty Gas Turbine ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Development of lean-premixed combustion technology with low emissions and stable operation in an increasingly wide range of operating conditions requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms that affect the combustion performance or even the operability of the entire gas turbine. Due to the relative wide range of natural gas composition supplies and the increased demand from Oil&Gas customers to burn unprocessed gas as well as LNG with notable higher hydrocarbons (C2+) content; the impact on gas turbine operability and combustion related aspects has been matter of several studies. In this paper, results of experimental test campaign of an annular combustor for heavy-duty gas turbine are presented with focus on the effect of fuel composition on both emissions and flame stability. Test campaign involved two different facilities, a full annular combustor rig and a full-scale prototype engine fed with different fuel mixtures of natural gas with small to moderate C2H6 content. Emissions trends and blowout for several operating conditions and burner configurations have been analyzed. Modifications to the burner geometry and fuel injection optimization have shown to be able to reach a good trade-off while keeping low NOx emissions in stable operating conditions for varying fuel composition.

Impact of Ethane, Propane, and Diluent Content in Natural Gas on the Performance of a Commercial Microturbine Generator

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard L. Hack ◽  
Vincent G. McDonell
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Fuel Composition ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Heating Value ◽  
Designed Experiment ◽  
Methane Number ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lean Conditions

The impact of fuel composition on performance of power generation devices is gaining interest as a desire to diversify fuel supplies increases. In the present study measurements of combustion performance were conducted on a commercial natural gas fired 60-kW gas turbine as a function of fuel composition. A statistically designed experiment was carried out and exhaust emissions were obtained for significant amounts of ethane and propane. In addition, a limited study of the effect of inerts was examined. The results show that emissions of NOx, CO, and NOx/NO are not well correlated with common descriptions of the fuel such as higher heating value or methane number. The results and trends indicate that the presence of higher hydrocarbons in the fuel leads to appreciably higher NOx emissions for both test devices operating under similar lean conditions, while having less impact on CO emissions.

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