Experimental Investigations of Pressure Losses on the Performance of a Micro Gas Turbine System
Pressure losses between compressor outlet and turbine inlet are a major issue of overall efficiency and system stability for a SOFC/MGT hybrid power plant system. The goal of this work is the detailed analysis of the effects of additional pressure losses on MGT performance in terms of steady-state and transient conditions. The experiments were performed at the micro gas turbine test rig at the German Aerospace Centre in Stuttgart using a butterfly control valve to apply additional pressure loss. The paper reports electric power and pressure characteristics at steady-state conditions, as well as, a new surge limit, which was found for the Turbec T100 micro gas turbine. Furthermore, the effects of additional pressure loss on compressor surge margin are quantified and a linear relation between relative surge margin and additional pressure loss is shown. For transient variation of pressure loss at constant turbine speed time delays are presented and a compensation issue of the commercial gas turbine controller is discussed. Finally, bleed-air blow-off and reduction of turbine outlet temperature are introduced as methods of increasing surge margin. It is quantified that both methods have a substantial effect on compressor surge margin. Furthermore, a comparison between both methods is given in terms of electric power output.