Flexible Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant Utilising Organic Rankine Cycle Technology

Author(s):  
Michael Welch ◽  
Nicola Rossetti

Historically gas turbine power plants have become more efficient and reduced the installed cost/MW by developing larger gas turbines and installing them in combined cycle configuration with a steam turbine. These large gas turbines have been designed to maintain high exhaust gas temperatures to maximise the power generation from the steam turbine and achieve the highest overall electrical efficiencies possible. However, in today’s electricity market, with more emphasis on decentralised power generation, especially in emerging nations, and increasing penetration of intermittent renewable power generation, this solution may not be flexible enough to meet operator demands. An alternative solution to using one or two large gas turbines in a large central combined cycle power plant is to design and install multiple smaller decentralised power plant, based on multiple gas turbines with individual outputs below 100MW, to provide the operational flexibility required and enable this smaller power plant to maintain a high efficiency and low emissions profile over a wide load range. This option helps maintain security of power supplies, as well as providing enhanced operational flexibility through the ability to turn turbines on and off as necessary to match the load demand. The smaller gas turbines though tend not to have been optimised for combined cycle operation, and their exhaust gas temperatures may not be sufficiently high, especially under part load conditions, to generate steam at the conditions needed to achieve a high overall electrical efficiency. ORC technology, thanks to the use of specific organic working fluids, permits efficient exploitation of low temperatures exhaust gas streams, as could be the case for smaller gas turbines, especially when working on poor quality fuels. This paper looks at how a decentralised power plant could be designed using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) in place of the conventional steam Rankine Cycle to maximise power generation efficiency and flexibility, while still offering a highly competitive installed cost. Combined cycle power generation utilising ORC technology offers a solution that also has environmental benefits in a water-constrained World. The paper also investigates the differences in plant performance for ORC designs utilising direct heating of the ORC working fluid compared to those using an intermediate thermal oil heating loop, and looks at the challenges involved in connecting multiple gas turbines to a single ORC turbo-generator to keep installed costs to a minimum.

Author(s):  
Wancai Liu ◽  
Hui Zhang

Gas turbine is widely applied in power-generation field, especially combined gas-steam cycle. In this paper, the new scheme of steam turbine driving compressor is investigated aiming at the gas-steam combined cycle power plant. Under calculating the thermodynamic process, the new scheme is compared with the scheme of conventional gas-steam combined cycle, pointing its main merits and shortcomings. At the same time, two improved schemes of steam turbine driving compressor are discussed.


Author(s):  
Washington Orlando Irrazabal Bohorquez ◽  
Joa˜o Roberto Barbosa ◽  
Luiz Augusto Horta Nogueira ◽  
Electo E. Silva Lora

The operational rules for the electricity markets in Latin America are changing at the same time that the electricity power plants are being subjected to stronger environmental restrictions, fierce competition and free market rules. This is forcing the conventional power plants owners to evaluate the operation of their power plants. Those thermal power plants were built between the 1960’s and the 1990’s. They are old and inefficient, therefore generating expensive electricity and polluting the environment. This study presents the repowering of thermal power plants based on the analysis of three basic concepts: the thermal configuration of the different technological solutions, the costs of the generated electricity and the environmental impact produced by the decrease of the pollutants generated during the electricity production. The case study for the present paper is an Ecuadorian 73 MWe power output steam power plant erected at the end of the 1970’s and has been operating continuously for over 30 years. Six repowering options are studied, focusing the increase of the installed capacity and thermal efficiency on the baseline case. Numerical simulations the seven thermal power plants are evaluated as follows: A. Modified Rankine cycle (73 MWe) with superheating and regeneration, one conventional boiler burning fuel oil and one old steam turbine. B. Fully-fired combined cycle (240 MWe) with two gas turbines burning natural gas, one recuperative boiler and one old steam turbine. C. Fully-fired combined cycle (235 MWe) with one gas turbine burning natural gas, one recuperative boiler and one old steam turbine. D. Fully-fired combined cycle (242 MWe) with one gas turbine burning natural gas, one recuperative boiler and one old steam turbine. The gas turbine has water injection in the combustion chamber. E. Fully-fired combined cycle (242 MWe) with one gas turbine burning natural gas, one recuperative boiler with supplementary burners and one old steam turbine. The gas turbine has steam injection in the combustion chamber. F. Hybrid combined cycle (235 MWe) with one gas turbine burning natural gas, one recuperative boiler with supplementary burners, one old steam boiler burning natural gas and one old steam turbine. G. Hybrid combined cycle (235 MWe) with one gas turbine burning diesel fuel, one recuperative boiler with supplementary burners, one old steam boiler burning fuel oil and one old steam turbine. All the repowering models show higher efficiency when compared with the Rankine cycle [2, 5]. The thermal cycle efficiency is improved from 28% to 50%. The generated electricity costs are reduced to about 50% when the old power plant is converted to a combined cycle one. When a Rankine cycle power plant burning fuel oil is modified to combined cycle burning natural gas, the CO2 specific emissions by kWh are reduced by about 40%. It is concluded that upgrading older thermal power plants is often a cost-effective method for increasing the power output, improving efficiency and reducing emissions [2, 7].


2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (03) ◽  
pp. S54-S55
Author(s):  
Uwe Schütz

This article describes features and advantages of new mobile gas turbine with a wide range of applications. The market for mobile gas turbines is continuously growing. Mobile units are also an ideal choice when it comes to making large power capacities available on a short-term basis, for example, for major events, prolonged downtimes at other power stations, or power-intensive applications such as mining or shale gas extraction. If the electricity requirements exceed the level that can normally be demanded of a mobile application, an SGT-A45 installation can be modified to form a combined-cycle power plant to further improve its efficiency. In remote locations, this can be achieved using an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), to eliminate the need for water and water treatment systems, and to optimize energy recovery from the SGT-A45 off-gas stream at a relatively low temperature. The use of a direct heat exchanger, in which the ORC working fluid is evaporated by the off-gas stream from the gas turbine, can boost the system’s output capacity by more than 20 percent.


Author(s):  
Michael Welch

Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant offer operators both environmental and economic benefits. The high efficiency achievable across a wide load range reduces both fuel costs and CO2 emissions to atmosphere. However, the scale of the power generation plays a major role in determining both cost and efficiency: a modern large centralized CCGT of 600MW output or more will have a full load efficiency in excess of 60% and a very competitive installed cost on a US$/kW basis. The smaller gas turbines required for distributed power applications are not optimized for combined cycle operation, with potential full load efficiencies of a combined cycle scheme ranging from a little over 40% to the high 50s depending on the power output of the gas turbine, the exhaust gas conditions and the plant configuration, while the installed cost is around twice that of a large centralized CCGT on a US$/kW basis. The drawback of a conventional combined cycle plant design is the need for water, which is a scarce commodity in some regions. Air cooling of the CCGT plant can be used to reduce water consumption, but make-up water will still be required for the steam system to compensate for steam losses, blowdown etc. While the lower exhaust gas temperatures of the smaller gas turbines impact the combined cycle efficiencies achievable, they do allow Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology to be considered for an alternative combined cycle configuration. This paper compares both the capital and operating costs and performance of combined cycle power plants for distributed power applications in the 30MW to 250MW power range based on conventional steam and various different ORC configurations.


Author(s):  
John E. Pritchard

Responding to a global market demand for clean, reliable and low-cost energy, GE Power Systems introduced its newest, most advanced generation of gas turbines in 1995. Called the H System™ this technology uses higher efficiency and output to produce electricity at lower costs than any other gas-fired power generation system available today. Efficiency. The H System™ is designed to achieve 60% thermal efficiency, a major milestone in the power generation industry. The most efficient combined-cycle systems currently in operation reach 57–58% efficiency. The use of advanced materials and a unique, steam-cooling system enable the higher firing temperatures required for this increase in efficiency. The integrated closed-loop steam cooling system uses steam from the steam turbine bottoming cycle to more efficiently cool the critical gas turbine parts, and returns the steam to the bottoming cycle where it can produce additional work in the steam turbine. Environmental Performance. The H System™ burns natural gas, a much cleaner fuel than other options such as oil or coal. In addition, the system’s higher efficiency means that less fuel is needed to produce the same amount of power, further reducing emissions of CO2 and NOx. The closed-loop steam cooling system cools both the rotating and stationary gas turbine parts to maintain combustion chamber exit temperatures for low NOx emissions, while permitting the high gas turbine firing temperatures required for increased efficiency and output. Reliability. The H System™ is based on technology proven in millions of hours of GE aircraft engine and power plant service. In particular, the lessons learned throughout the development and 7.1 million hours of worldwide operating experience of GE’s F technology have been applied to the H System™. Status. This technology has been subjected to an extensive validation process. This process includes component, scale, and full size rig testing, Full Speed No Load factory tests, and culminates in Full Speed Full Load characterization testing in a commercial power plant. This paper discusses the validation process and status for the 50 Hz S109H and 60 Hz S107H in more detail.


Author(s):  
Pereddy Nageswara Reddy ◽  
J. S. Rao

Abstract A three stage combined power cycle with a Brayton cycle as the topping cycle, a Rankine cycle as the middling cycle and an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) as the bottoming cycle is proposed in the present investigation. A two-stage Gas Turbine Power Plant (GTPP) with inter-cooling, reheating and regeneration based on the Brayton cycle, a single-stage Steam Turbine Power Plant (STPP) based on the Rankine cycle, and a two-stage ORC power plant with reheating based on ORC with atmospheric air as the coolant is considered in the present study. This arrangement enables the proposed plant to utilize the waste heat to the maximum extent possible and convert it into electric power. As the plant can now operate at low sink temperatures depending on atmospheric air, the efficiency of the combined cycle power plant increases dramatically. Further, Steam Turbine Exhaust Pressure (STEP) is positive resulting in smaller size units and a lower installation cost. A simulation code is developed in MATLAB to investigate the performance of a three stage combined power cycle at different source and sink temperatures with varying pressure in heat recovery steam boiler and condenser-boiler. Performance results are plotted with Gas Turbine Inlet Temperature (GTIT) of 1200 to 1500 °C, Coolant Air Temperature (CAT) of −15 to +25 °C, and pressure ratio of GTPP as 6.25, 9.0 and 12.25 for different organic substances and NH3 as working fluids in the bottoming ORC. Simulation results show that the efficiency of the three stage combined power cycle will go up to 64 to 69% depending on the pressure ratio of GTPP, GTIT, and CAT. It is also observed that the variation in the efficiency of the three stage combined power cycle is small with respect to the type of working fluid used in the ORC. Among the organic working fluids R134a, R12, R22, and R123, R134a gives a higher combined cycle efficiency.


Author(s):  
Christian Vandervort

The power generation industry is facing unprecedented challenges. High fuel costs combined with an increased penetration of renewable power has resulted in greater demand for high efficiency and operational flexibility. Imperative for a reduced carbon footprint places an even higher premium on efficiency. Power producers are seeking highly efficient, reliable, and operationally flexible solutions that provide long-term profitability in a volatile environment. New generation must also be cost-effective to ensure affordability for both domestic and industrial consumers. Gas turbine combined cycle power plants provide reliable, dispatch-able generation with low cost of electricity, reduced environmental impact, and improved flexibility. GE’s air-cooled, H-class gas turbines (7/9HA) are engineered to achieve greater than 63% net, combined cycle efficiency while delivering operational flexibility through deep, emission-compliant turndown and high ramp rates. The largest of these gas turbines, the 9HA.02, exceeds 64% combined cycle efficiency (net, ISO) in a 1 × 1, single-shaft configuration. In parallel, the power plant has been configured for rapid construction and commissioning enabling timely revenue generation for power plant developers and owners. The HA platform is enabled by 1) use of a simple air-cooling system for the turbine section that does not require external heat exchange and the associated cost and complexity, and 2) use of well-known materials and coatings with substantial operating experience at high firing temperatures. Key technology improvements for the HA’s include advanced cooling and sealing, utilization of unsteady aerodynamic methodologies, axially staged combustion and next generation thermal barrier coating (TBC). Validation of the architecture and technology insertion is performed in a dedicated test facility over the full operating range. As of February 2018, a total of 18 HA power plants have achieved COD (Commercial Operation). This paper will address three topics relating to the HA platform: 1) gas turbine product technology, 2) gas turbine validation and 3) integrated power plant commissioning and operating experience.


Author(s):  
Yongjun Zhao ◽  
Hongmei Chen ◽  
Mark Waters ◽  
Dimitri N. Mavris

The combined cycle power plant is made up of three major systems, the gas turbine engine, the heat recovery steam generator and the steam turbine. Of the major systems the gas turbine engine is a fixed design offered by a manufacturer, and the steam turbine is also a fairly standard design available from a manufacturer, but it may be somewhat customized for the project. In contrast, the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) offers many different design options, and its design is highly customized and integrated with the steam turbine. The objective of this project is to parametrically investigate the design and cost of the HRSG system, and to demonstrate the impact on the overall cost of electricity (COE) of a combined cycle power plant. There are numerous design parameters that can affect the size and complexity of the HRSG, and it is the plan for the project to identify all the important parameters and to evaluate each. For this study, the design parameter chosen for evaluation is the exhaust gas pressure drop across the HRSG. This parameter affects the performance of both the gas turbine and steam turbine and the size of the heat recovery unit. Single-pressure, two-pressure and three-pressure HRSGs are all investigated, with the tradeoffs between design point size, performance and cost evaluated for each system. A genetic algorithm is used in the design optimization process to minimize the investment cost of the HSRG. Several system level metrics are employed to evaluate a design. They are gas turbine net power, steam turbine net power, fuel consumption of the power plant, net cycle efficiency of the power plant, HRSG investment cost, total investment cost of the power plant and the operating cost measured by the cost of electricity (COE). The impacts of HRSG exhaust gas pressure drop and system complexity on these system level metrics are investigated.


1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. G. Rice

The reheat gas turbine cycle combined with the steam turbine Rankine cycle holds new promise of appreciably increasing power plant thermal efficiency. Apparently the cycle has been overlooked and thus neglected through the years. Research and development is being directed towards other gas turbine areas because of the world energy crunch; and in order to focus needed technical attention to the reheat cycle, this paper is presented, using logic and practical background of heat recovery boilers, steam turbines, gas turbines and the process industry. A critical analysis is presented establishing parameters of efficiency, cycle pressure ratio, firing temperature and output. Using the data developed, an analysis of an actual gas generator, the second generation LM5000, is applied with unique approaches to show that an overall 50 percent efficiency power plant can be developed using today’s known techniques and established base-load firing temperatures.


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