Advanced Combustion System Solutions for Increasing Thermal Efficiency in Natural Gas Engines While Meeting Future Demand for Low NOx Emissions

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Tozzi ◽  
Emmanuella Sotiropoulou ◽  
Paul Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Flow Fields ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Electrode Erosion ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Combustion System ◽  
Electrode Gap ◽  
Advanced Combustion ◽  
Spark Plug

Key requirements for state of the art industrial gas engines are high engine thermal efficiency, high engine brake mean effective pressure (BMEP), low NOx emissions, and acceptable spark plug life. Fundamentally, as engine thermal efficiency and power density increase, along with the requirement of reduced NOx emissions, the pressure at the time of ignition increases. This results in a higher spark breakdown voltage that negatively affects spark plug life. This problem is resolved with a smaller electrode gap and high spark energy to overcome quenching effects during ignition kernel development. High flow fields in the spark gap region are required to assure the spreading of the discharge, which reduces the rate of electrode erosion. In addition, these high flow fields overcome mixture inhomogeneities by developing large ignition kernels. These large ignition kernels, inside the prechamber spark plug, produce high velocity flame jets into the main chamber enhancing combustion, which results in thermal efficiency gains at lower NOx levels and higher BMEP. The advanced combustion system solution discussed in this paper is the combination of high-energy ignition and a prechamber spark plug with flow fields at the electrode gap. Future developments include improved ion signal quality detonation detection resulting in additional gains in thermal efficiency.

Field Conversion of a Low-Firing Frame 7B Gas Turbine Power Plant to Ultra-Low Emission Combustion

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Demougeot ◽  
Jeffrey A. Benoit
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Water Injection ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Environmental Controls ◽  
Low Emission ◽  
Technical Discussion

The search for power plant sustainability options continues as regulating agencies exert more stringent industrial gas turbine emission requirements on operators. Purchasing power for resale, de-commissioning current capabilities altogether and repowering by replacing or converting existing equipment to comply with emissions standards are economic-driven options contemplated by many mature gas turbine operators. NRG’s Gilbert power plant based in Milford, NJ began commercial operation in 1974 and is fitted with four (4) natural gas fired GE’s 7B gas turbine generators with two each exhausting to HRSG’s feeding one (1) steam turbine generator. The gas turbine units, originally configured with diffusion flame combustion systems with water injection, were each emitting 35 ppm NOx with the New Jersey High Energy Demand Day (HEED) regulatory mandate to reduce NOx emissions to sub 10 ppm by May 1st, 2015. Studies were conducted by the operator to evaluate the economic viability & installation of environmental controls to reduce NOx emissions. It was determined that installation of post-combustion environmental controls at the facility was both cost prohibitive and technically challenging, and would require a fundamental reconfiguration of the facility. Based on this economic analysis, the ultra-low emission combustion system conversion package was selected as the best cost-benefit solution. This technical paper will focus on the ultra low emissions technology and key features employed to achieve these low emissions, a description of the design challenges and solution to those, a summary of the customer considerations in down selecting options and an overview of the conversion scope. Finally, a technical discussion of the low emissions operational flexibility will be provided including performance results of the converted units.

Numerical Studies of Novel Aero Engine Secondary Combustors for Low-NOx Emissions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Rolt ◽  
Victor Martínez Bueno ◽  
Mirko Romanelli ◽  
Xiaoxiao Sun ◽  
Pierre Gauthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Region ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Numerical Studies ◽  
Aero Engine

Abstract Gas turbine thermal efficiency and fuel burn are very dependent on turbine entry temperature and overall pressure ratio (OPR). Unfortunately, increases in these two parameters compromise other key aspects of engine operation and tend to increase emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The European Horizon 2020 ULTIMATE project researched advanced-cycle aero engines with synergistic combinations of novel technologies to increase thermal efficiency without increasing emissions. One candidate technology was the addition of secondary combustion to increase the mean temperature of heat addition to improve thermal efficiency while limiting the primary combustor flame temperatures and NOx formation. However, an overall reduction in NOx also requires the secondary combustor to be a low-NOx design. This paper describes numerical studies carried out on novel aero engine secondary combustor concepts developed in two MSc-thesis research projects. The studies have explored the potential of oxy-poor-flame combustion concepts. These annular combustor designs featured two distinct regions: (i) the vortex zone, which promotes recirculation of combustion products, a prerequisite for low-oxygen combustion, and (ii) a through-flow region where part of the incoming flow bypasses the vortex before the flows mix again. These studies have demonstrated the advantages and some limitations of the proposed designs and emissions assessments in comparison with previous secondary combustor studies. They suggest very low NOx is achievable with oxy-poor combustion, but will be more difficult if the incoming oxygen levels are above 10%. More-accurate assessments will require LES modelling and inclusion of the primary combustor in the simulations. However, if the low overall NOx emissions would include relatively higher levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) then this might raise concerns with respect to global warming.

Investigating realistic anode off-gas combustion in SOFC/ICE hybrid systems: mini review and experimental evaluation

2021 ◽  
pp. 146808742110583
Author(s):  
Ioannis Nikiforakis ◽  
Zhongnan Ran ◽  
Michael Sprengel ◽  
John Brackett ◽  
Guy Babbit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Internal Combustion Engines ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Compression Ignition ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Gas Combustion ◽  
Thermodynamic Conditions ◽  
Decentralized Energy

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) have been deployed in hybrid decentralized energy systems, in which they are directly coupled to internal combustion engines (ICEs). Prior research indicated that the anode tailgas exiting the SOFC stack should be additionally exploited due to its high energy value, with typical ICE operation favoring hybridization due to matching thermodynamic conditions during operation. Consequently, extensive research has been performed, in which engines are positioned downstream the SOFC subsystem, operating in several modes of combustion, with the most prevalent being homogeneous compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI). Experiments were performed in a 3-cylinder ICE operating in the latter modus operandi, where the anode tailgas was assimilated by mixing syngas (H2: 33.9%, CO: 15.6%, CO2: 50.5%) with three different water vapor flowrates in the engine’s intake. While increased vapor content significantly undermined engine performance, brake thermal efficiency (BTE) surpassed 34% in the best case scenario, which outperformed the majority of engines operating under similar operating conditions, as determined from the conducted literature review. Nevertheless, the best performing application was identified operating under HCCI, in which diesel reformates assimilating SOFC anode tailgas, fueled a heavy duty ICE (17:1), and gross indicated thermal efficiency ([Formula: see text]) of 48.8% was achieved, with the same engine exhibiting identical performance when operating in reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI). Overall, emissions in terms of NOx and CO were minimal, especially in SI engines, while unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) were non-existent due to the absence of hydrocarbons in the assessed reformates.

scholarly journals UNJUK KERJA REAKTOR PLASMA DIELECTRIC BARRIER DISCHARGE UNTUK PRODUKSI BIODIESEL DARI MINYAK KELAPA SAWIT

Teknik ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Ardian Dwi Yudhistira ◽  
Istadi Istadi
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Mechanism ◽  
Reaction Time ◽  
Product Yield ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Electrode Gap ◽  
Dbd Plasma ◽  
Electric Voltage ◽  
Batch System ◽  
Electro Catalysis ◽  
Short Time

Biodiesel is one of alternative renewable energy source to substitute diesel fuel. Various biodiesel productionprocesses through transesterification reaction with a variety of catalysts have been developed by previousresearcher. This process still has the disadvantage of a long reaction time, and high energy need. DielectricBarrier Discharge (DBD) plasma electro-catalysis may become a solution to overcome the drawbacks in theconventional transesterification process. This process only needs a short time reaction and low energy process.The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of DBD plasma rector in making biodiesel such as: theeffect of high voltage electric value, electrodes gap, mole ratio of methanol / oil, and reaction time. TheResearch method was using GC-MS (Gas Cromatography-Mass Spectrofotometry) and FTIR (FourierTransform Infrared Spectrofotometry) and then it will be analysed the change of chemical bond betweenreactant and product. So, the reaction mechanism can be predicted. Biodiesel is produced using methanol andpalm oil as reactants and DBD plasma used as reactor in batch system. Then, reactants contacted by highvoltage electric. From the results of this research can be concluded that the reaction mechanism occurs in theprocess is the reaction mechanism of cracking, the higher of electric voltage and the longer of reaction time leadto increasing of product yield. The more of mole ratio of methanol / oil and widening the gap between theelectrodes lead to decreased product yield. From this research, product yield maksimum is 89,8% in the variableof rasio mol metanol/palm oil 3:1, voltage 10 kV, electrode gap 1,5 cm, and reaction time 30 seconds.

Effect of Mixing Quality on NOx Emissions in Reheat Combustion of GT24 and GT26 Engines

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Michael Du¨sing ◽  
Andrea Ciani ◽  
Adnan Eroglu
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Flow Characteristic ◽  
Water Channel ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Combustion System ◽  
Low Pressure Turbine ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
System 1

Alstoms GT24 and GT26 engines feature a unique sequential combustion system [1, 2]. This system consists of a premixed combustor (called EV), which is followed by a high pressure turbine, a reheat combustor (called SEV) and a low pressure turbine (Figure 1). Recently improvements in NOx performance of the SEV have been demonstrated. Starting with relatively simple methods numerous design variants have been tested and down selected. Further down-selection has been done with methods of increased complexity. Overall a fast and cost effective development process has been assured. During the development process the variation coefficient and unmixedness measured and calculated for mixing only systems (CFD and water channel) has proven to be a reliable indicators for low NOx emissions for the real combustion system on atmospheric and high pressure test rigs. To demonstrate this a comparison of both quantities against NOx emissions is shown. The paper focuses on the NOx results achieved during this development and its relation to mixing quantities. Using this relation, together with a detailed understanding of the flow characteristic in the SEV burner, reductions in NOx emissions for GT24 and GT26 SEV burner and lance hardware can be reached using relatively simple methods.

The effect of advanced ignition system on gasoline low temperature combustion

2019 ◽  
pp. 146808741986754
Author(s):  
Hanho Yun ◽  
Cherian Idicheria ◽  
Paul Najt
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Low Temperature Combustion ◽  
Efficiency Gain ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Stable Combustion ◽  
Indicated Mean Effective Pressure ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Temperature Combustion ◽  
Valve Overlap

Engines operating in low temperature combustion during positive valve overlap operation offer significant benefits of high fuel economy over the low temperature combustion during negative valve overlap operation. Significant efficiency improvement was achieved by the increased gamma and lower pumping loss. However, NOx emissions were increased due to reliance on the flame-induced combustion. In this study, the corona ignition system was evaluated to reduce NOx emissions during positive valve overlap operation while maintaining the benefit of efficiency gain. The tests were performed in a 2.2-L multi-cylinder engine. The results show that the ignition delay is always shorter with the corona ignition system than with the spark plug. The corona ignition system is able to support stable combustion (coefficient of variation of indicated mean effective pressure <3%) in a lower load during positive valve overlap operation than the spark plug, which gives us additional efficiency benefit. Since the corona ignition system promotes simultaneous ignition of the mixture at multiple locations in the combustion chamber as opposed to ignition being limited to the spark gap channel, the dependence of the flame burn for stable combustion during positive valve overlap operation minimizes, which leads to lower NOx emissions over the spark plug.

Development of an Open Path Laser Ignition System for a Large Bore Natural Gas Engine: Part 1 — System Design

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Ahrens ◽  
Azer P. Yalin ◽  
Daniel B. Olsen ◽  
Gi-Heon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Electrode Erosion ◽  
Laser Ignition ◽  
Ignition System ◽  
Gas Engine ◽  
Natural Gas Engine ◽  
Spark Plug ◽  
Engine Part ◽  
Beam Delivery

Using a laser, as opposed to a conventional (electrical) spark plug, to create a combustion initiating spark is potentially advantageous for several reasons: flexibility in choosing and optimizing the spark location, in particular to move the spark away from solid heat sinks; production of a more robust spark containing more energy; and obviation of electrode erosion problems. These advantages may lead to an extension of the lean limit, an increase in engine thermal efficiency, and the concomitant benefits of reduced pollutant emissions. This paper presents the design of a laser ignition system appropriate for a large bore natural gas engine. Design considerations include: optimization of spark location, design of beam delivery system and optical plug, and mitigation of vibration and thermal effects. Engine test results will be presented in the second paper of this two-paper series.

Experimental Study on the Combustion Process and Performance of Diesel Engines Fueled by Emulsion Diesel With Novel Organic Additives

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenming Yang ◽  
Hui An ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
Amin Maghbouli ◽  
Kian Jon Chua
Keyword(s):  
Diesel Engine ◽  
Diesel Engines ◽  
Thermal Efficiency ◽  
Gasoline Engine ◽  
Combustion Process ◽  
Nox Emissions ◽  
Organic Additives ◽  
Oil Droplets ◽  
And Performance ◽  
One Year

Transportation is one of the major contributors to the world’s energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions. The need for increased efficiency has placed diesel engine in the spotlight due to its superior thermal efficiency and fuel economy over gasoline engine. However, diesel engines also face the major disadvantage of increased NOx emissions. To address this issue, three types of emulsion fuels with different water concentrations (5%, 10% and 15% mass water) are produced and tested. Novel organic materials (glycerin and ployethoxy-ester) are added in the fuel to provide extra oxygen for improving combustion. NP-15 is added as surfactant which can help to reduce the oil and water surface tension, activates their surface, and maximizes their superficial contact areas, thereby forming a continuous and finely dispersed droplets phase. The stability of the emulsion fuels is tested under various environmental temperature for one year, and no significant separation is observed. It is better than normal emulsion fuel which can only maintain the state for up to three months. The combustion process and performance of the emulsion fuels are tested in a four-stroke, four cylinder diesel engine. The results indicate that the water droplets enclosed in the emulsion fuel explode at high temperature environment and help to break up the big oil droplets into smaller ones, thereby significantly increase the surface area of the oil droplets and enhance the heat transfer from hot gas to the fuel. As a result, the fuel evaporation is improved and the combustion process is accelerated, leading to an improved brake thermal efficiency (up to 14.2%). Meanwhile, the presence of the water causes the peak temperature of the flame to drop, thereby significantly bringing down the NOx emissions by more than 30%.

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