Hot Windbox and Combined Cycle Repowering to Improve Heat Rate

Author(s):  
Tarek A. Tawfik ◽  
Thomas P. Smith

Retrofitting existing power generation plants by repowering is becoming an attractive option to improve plant performance with less cost. “Hot Windbox Repowering” involves utilizing the hot exhaust gas from a combustion gas turbine and using it as combustion air for an existing fossil-fuel boiler. “Combined Cycle Repowering” or “Full Repowering” involves completely replacing the existing boiler with a combined cycle consisting of a gas turbine(s) and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). The existing steam turbine will be used in both repowering scenarios. This paper discusses an engineering study and summarizes the results obtained from repowering an existing heavy-oil / natural gas fired steam power plant in the north east of the United States. The plant consists of a 600 MW boiler and steam turbine. Several engineering studies were considered and evaluated thermodynamically and economically to retrofit such plant. Several options were considered involving different gas turbines, gas turbine combinations, and different repowering methods. The best option is based on retrofitting the unit by a combination of both, hot windbox repowering and combined cycle repowering. The proposed design consists of one gas turbine repowering the windbox of the existing boiler, and a second gas turbine operating in a separate combined cycle configuration with the generated superheated steam tying into the main steam line and expanding in the existing steam turbine. Several heat balances were developed to assist in obtaining meaningful results for this feasibility study. Actual costs were obtained for the gas turbines and heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), as well as installation costs for a more accurate evaluation. The results indicate that the combined output of the repowered unit will generate an additional 295 MW and reduce the heat rate by more than 11 percent at full load and annual average ambient conditions. The estimated capital cost of the project is expected to range from $235 to $245 millions.

Author(s):  
S. Can Gülen

Duct firing in the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) of a gas turbine combined cycle power plant is a commonly used method to increase output on hot summer days when gas turbine airflow and power output lapse significantly. The aim is to generate maximum possible power output when it is most needed (and, thus, more profitable) at the expense of power plant heat rate. In this paper, using fundamental thermodynamic arguments and detailed heat and mass balance simulations, it will be shown that, under certain boundary conditions, duct firing in the HRSG can be a facilitator of efficiency improvement as well. When combined with highly-efficient aeroderivative gas turbines with high cycle pressure ratios and concomitantly low exhaust temperatures, duct firing can be utilized for small but efficient combined cycle power plant designs as well as more efficient hot-day power augmentation. This opens the door to efficient and agile fossil fuel-fired power generation opportunities to support variable renewable generation.


1979 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. F. Fougere ◽  
H. G. Stewart ◽  
J. Bell

Citizens Utilities Company’s Kauai Electric Division is the electric utility on the Island of Kauai, fourth largest and westernmost as well as northernmost of the Hawaiian Islands. As a result of growing load requirements, additional generating capacity was required that would afford a high level of reliability and operating flexibility and good fuel economy at reasonable capital investment. To meet these requirements, a combined cycle arrangement was completed in 1978 utilizing one existing gas turbine-generator and one new gas turbine-generator, both exhausting to a new heat recovery steam generator which supplies steam to an existing steam turbine-generator. Damper controlled ducting directs exhaust gas from either gas turbine, one at a time, through the heat recovery steam generator. The existing oil-fired steam boiler remains available to power the steam turbine-generator independently or in parallel with the heat recovery steam generator. The gas turbines can operate either in simple cycle as peaking units or in combined cycle, one at a time, as base load units. This arrangement provides excellent operating reliability and flexibility, and the most favorable economics of all generating arrangements for the service required.


Author(s):  
Donald A. Kolp ◽  
Charles E. Levey

Zorlu Enerji needed 35 MW of reliable power at a stable frequency to maintain constant speed on the spindles producing thread at its parent company’s textile plant in Bursa, Turkey. In December of 1996, Zorlu selected an LM2500+ combined cycle plant to fill its power-generating requirements. The LM2500+ has output of 26,810 KW at a heat rate of 9,735 Kj/Kwh. The combined cycle plant has an output of 35,165 KW and a heat rate of 7,428 Kj/Kwh. The plant operates in the simple cycle mode utilizing the LM2500+ and a bypass stack and in combined cycle mode using the 2-pressure heat recovery steam generator and single admission, 9.5 MW condensing steam turbine. The generator is driven through a clutch by the steam turbine from the exciter end and by the gas turbine from the opposing end. The primary fuel for the plant is natural gas; the backup fuel is naphtha. Utilizing a load bank, the plant is capable of accepting a 12 MW load loss when the utility breaker trips open; it can sustain this loss while maintaining frequency within 1% on the mill load. The frequency stabilizing capability prevents overspeeding of the spindles, breakage of thousands of strands of thread and a costly shutdown of the mill. A description of the equipment, operation and performance illustrates the unique features of this versatile, compact and efficient generating unit.


2003 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 658-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Zwebek ◽  
P. Pilidis

This is the second paper exploring the effects of the degradation of different components on combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant performance. This paper investigates the effects of degraded steam path components of steam turbine (bottoming) cycle have on CCGT power plant performance. Areas looked at were, steam turbine fouling, steam turbine erosion, heat recovery steam generator degradation (scaling and/or ashes deposition), and condenser degradation. The effect of gas turbine back-pressure on plant performance due to HRSG degradation is also discussed. A general simulation FORTRAN code was developed for the purpose of this study. This program can calculate the CCGT plant design point performance, off-design plant performance, and plant deterioration performance. The results obtained are presented in a graphical form and discussed.


Author(s):  
A. Zwebek ◽  
P. Pilidis

This is the second paper exploring the effects of the degradation of different components on Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant performance. This paper investigates the effects of degraded steam path components of steam turbine (bottoming) cycle have on CCGT power plant performance. Areas looked at were, steam turbine fouling, steam turbine erosion, heat recovery steam generator degradation (scaling and/or ashes deposition), and condenser degradation. The effect of gas turbine back-pressure on plant performance due to HRSG degradation is also discussed. A general simulation Fortran code was developed for the purpose of this study. This program can calculate the CCGT plant design point performance, off-design plant performance, and plant deterioration performance. The results obtained are presented in a graphical form and discussed.


Author(s):  
Meherwan P. Boyce

The performance analysis of the new generation of Gas Turbines in combined cycle operation is complex and presents new problems, which have to be addressed. The new units operate at very high turbine firing temperatures. Thus variation in this firing temperature significantly affects the performance and life of the components in the hot section of the turbine. The compressor pressure ratio is high which leads to a very narrow operation margin, thus making the turbine very susceptible to compressor fouling. The turbines are also very sensitive to backpressure exerted on them by the heat recovery steam generators. The pressure drop through the air filter also results in major deterioration of the performance of the turbine. The performance of the combined cycle is also dependent on the steam turbine performance. The steam turbine is dependent on the pressure, temperature, and flow generated in the heat recovery steam generator, which in turn is dependent on the turbine firing temperature, and the air mass flow through the gas turbine. It is obvious that the entire system is very intertwined and that deterioration of one component will lead to off-design operation of other components, which in most cases leads to overall drop in cycle efficiency. Thus, determining component performance and efficiency is the key to determining overall cycle efficiency. Thermodynamic modeling of the plant with individual component analysis is not only extremely important in optimizing the overall performance of the plant but in also determining life cycle considerations.


1995 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. J. Dechamps ◽  
N. Pirard ◽  
Ph. Mathieu

The design point performance of combined cycle power plants has been steadily increasing, because of improvements both in the gas turbine technology and in the heat recovery technology, with multiple pressure heat recovery steam generators. The concern remains, however, that combined cycle power plants, like all installations based on gas turbines, have a rapid performance degradation when the load is reduced. In particular, it is well known that the efficiency degradation of a combined cycle is more rapid than that of a classical steam plant. This paper describes a methodology that can be used to evaluate the part-load performances of combined cycle units. Some examples are presented and discussed, covering multiple pressure arrangements, incorporating supplemental firing and possibly reheat. Some emphasis is put on the additional flexibility offered by the use of supplemental firing, in conjunction with schemes comprising more than one gas turbine per steam turbine. The influence of the gas turbine controls, like the use of variable inlet guide vanes in the compressor control, is also discussed.


Author(s):  
B. Chudnovsky ◽  
L. Levin ◽  
A. Talanker ◽  
V. Mankovsky ◽  
A. Kunin

Diagnostics of large size combined-cycle power plant components (such as: Gas Turbine, HRSG, Steam Turbine and Condenser) plays a significant role in improving power plant performance, availability, reliability and maintenance scheduling. In order to prevent various faults in cycle operation and as a result a reliability reduction, special monitoring and diagnostic techniques is required, for engineering analysis and utility production management. In this sense an on-line supervision system has developed and implemented for 370 MW combined-cycle. The advanced diagnostic methodology is based on a comparison between actual and target conditions. The actual conditions are calculated using data set acquired continuously from the power plant acquisition system. The target conditions are calculated either as a defined actual best operation (Manufacturer heat balances) or by means of a physical model that reproduces boiler and plant performance at off-design. Both sets of data are then compared to find the reason of performance deviation and then used to monitor plant degradation, to support plant maintenance and to assist on-line troubleshooting. The performance calculation module provides a complete Gas Turbine, HRSG and Steam Turbine island heat balance and operating parameters. This paper describes a study where an on-line performance monitoring tool was employed for continuously evaluating power plant performance. The methodology developed and summarized herein has been successfully applied to large size 360–370 MW combined cycles based on GE and Siemens Gas Turbines, showing good capabilities in estimating the degradation of the main equipment during plant lifetime. Consequently, it is a useful tool for power plant operation and maintenance.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (05) ◽  
pp. 30-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lee S. Langston

This article explores the increasing use of natural gas in different turbine industries and in turn creating an efficient electrical system. All indications are that the aviation market will be good for gas turbine production as airlines and the military replace old equipment and expanding economies such as China and India increase their air travel. Gas turbines now account for some 22% of the electricity produced in the United States and 46% of the electricity generated in the United Kingdom. In spite of this market share, electrical power gas turbines have kept a much lower profile than competing technologies, such as coal-fired thermal plants and nuclear power. Gas turbines are also the primary device behind the modern combined power plant, about the most fuel-efficient technology we have. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is developing a new J series gas turbine for the combined cycle power plant market that could achieve thermal efficiencies of 61%. The researchers believe that if wind turbines and gas turbines team up, they can create a cleaner, more efficient electrical power system.


Author(s):  
Thomas K. Kirkpatrick ◽  
Bernard J. Pastorik ◽  
Wesley M. Newland

Since its publication in 1996, ASME PTC 46 Performance Test Code on Overall Plant Performance has established itself as the premier test code for conducting overall plant performance within the power industry, especially for combined cycle power plants. The current text within ASME PTC 46, which is currently under revision by the ASME PTC 46 Committee, describes in Section 5.3.4 Specified Measured Net Power that “This test is conducted for a combined cycle power plant with duct firing or other form of power augmentation, such as steam or water injection when used for that purpose.” Further, the only example problem for a combined cycle with duct firing is provided in Appendix B of the code utilizing the Specified Measured Net Power Test Method. Though the text and example are correctly presented within the code, it resulted in misinterpretation within the industry that the only correct way to test a combined cycle plant with duct firing was to conduct a Specified Measured Net Power Test. Though the Specified Measured Net Power Test Method is an acceptable and accurate method in determining the performance of a combined cycle plant with duct firing in operation, it lends to being inflexible to the weather conditions for the plant operation. When the weather is too cold, the exhaust energy from the combustion turbines may be at such a magnitude as to not allow the duct burners to be fired due to limitations within the heat recovery steam generator and steam turbine systems to take the load, thus limiting the plant testing to take place when the weather is warm enough to allow the plant to be operated with duct firing. The opposite condition can also exist where the ambient conditions are too hot so that the duct burner capacity is unable to achieve the specified measured net power allowing the test to be conducted. The limitations stated herein are the reasons that an alternative approach with more flexibility is necessary. This paper will present an alternative approach referred to as the Fixed Duct Burner Heat Input Test Method to testing combined cycle plants where the duct burner heat input (Fuel Flow) is held fixed while the plant net power and heat rate are left to float with ambient conditions. Corrections for both power and heat rate will be developed for ambient conditions per ASME PTC 46 guidelines. This paper will further present a comparison between the Specified Measured Net Power Test Method and the Fixed Duct Burner Heat Input Test Method in the areas of the flexibility of the methods for various ambient conditions, and the method uncertainty associated with each method’s ability to correct to reference conditions.


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