Selection of Climatic Design Points for Gas Turbine Power Augmentation

There is a widespread interest in the application of gas turbine power augmentation technologies such as evaporative cooling or mechanical chilling in the mechanical drive and power generation markets. Very often, the selection of the design point is based on the use of ASHRAE data or a design point that is in the basis of design for the project. This approach can be detrimental and can result in a non optimal solution. In order to evaluate the benefits of power augmentation, users can use locally collected weather data, or recorded hourly bin data set from databases such as TMY, EWD, and IWS. This paper will cover a suggested approach for the analysis of climatic data for power augmentation applications and show how the selection of the design point can impact performance and economics of the installation. The final selection of the design point depends on the specific application, the revenues generated and installation costs. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to treat this topic in a structured analytical manner by comparing available database information with actual climatic conditions.

Application of Forecasting Methodologies to Predict Gas Turbine Behavior Over Time

The growing need to increase the competitiveness of industrial systems continuously requires a reduction of maintenance costs, without compromising safe plant operation. Therefore, forecasting the future behavior of a system allows planning maintenance actions and saving costs, because unexpected stops can be avoided. In this paper, four different methodologies are applied to predict gas turbine behavior over time: Linear and Non Linear Regression, One Parameter Double Exponential Smoothing, Baesyan Forecasting Method and Kalman Filter. The four methodologies are used to provide a prediction of the time when a performance limit will be exceeded in the future, as a function of the current trend of the considered parameter. The application considers different scenarios which may be representative of the trend over time of some significant parameters for gas turbines. Moreover, the Baesyan Forecasting Method, which allows the detection of discontinuities in time series, is also tested for predicting system behavior after two consecutive trends. The results presented in this paper aim to select the most suitable methodology that allows both trending and forecasting as a function of data trend over time, in order to predict time evolution of gas turbine characteristic parameters and to provide an estimate of the occurrence of a failure.

Marine Gas Turbine Performance Model for More Electric Ships

This paper presents the benefits of the more electric vessels powered by hybrid engines and investigates the suitability of a particular prime-mover for a specific ship type using a simulation environment which can approach the actual operating conditions. The performance of a mega yacht (70m), powered by two 4.5MW recuperated gas turbines is examined in different voyage scenarios. The analysis is accomplished for a variety of weather and hull fouling conditions using a marine gas turbine performance software which is constituted by six modules based on analytical methods. In the present study, the marine simulation model is used to predict the fuel consumption and emission levels for various conditions of sea state, ambient and sea temperatures and hull fouling profiles. In addition, using the aforementioned parameters, the variation of engine and propeller efficiency can be estimated. Finally, the software is coupled to a creep life prediction tool, able to calculate the consumption of creep life of the high pressure turbine blading for the predefined missions. The results of the performance analysis show that a mega yacht powered by gas turbines can have comparable fuel consumption with the same vessel powered by high speed Diesel engines in the range of 10MW. In such Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) environment the gas turbine provides a comprehensive candidate as a prime mover, mainly due to its compactness being highly valued in such application and its eco-friendly operation. The simulation of different voyage cases shows that cleaning the hull of the vessel, the fuel consumption reduces up to 16%. The benefit of the clean hull becomes even greater when adverse weather condition is considered. Additionally, the specific mega yacht when powered by two 4.2MW Diesel engines has a cruising speed of 15 knots with an average fuel consumption of 10.5 [tonne/day]. The same ship powered by two 4.5MW gas turbines has a cruising speed of 22 knots which means that a journey can be completed 31.8% faster, which reduces impressively the total steaming time. However the gas turbine powered yacht consumes 9 [tonne/day] more fuel. Considering the above, Gas Turbine looks to be the only solution which fulfills the next generation sophisticated high powered ship engine requirements.

A Pb/Zn Based Chemical Looping System for Hydrogen and Power Production With Carbon Capture

This paper describes an extension of a novel, carbon-burning, fluid phase chemical looping combustion system proposed previously. The system generates both power and H2 with ‘inherent’ carbon capture using chemical looping combustion (CLC) to perform the main energy release from the fuel. A mixed Pb and Zn based oxygen carrier is used, and due to the thermodynamics of the carbothermic reduction of PbO and ZnO respectively, the system generates a flue gas which consists of a mixture of CO2 and CO. By product H2 is generated from this flue gas using the water-gas shift reaction (WGSR). By varying the proportion of Pb to Zn circulating in the chemical loop, the ratio of CO2 to CO can be controlled, which in turn enables the ratio between the amount of H2 produced to the amount of power generated to be adjusted. By this means, the power output from the system can be ‘turned down’ in periods of low electricity demand without requiring plant shutdown. To facilitate the adjustment of the Pb/Zn ratio, use is made of the two metal’s mutual insolubility, as this means they form in to two liquid layers at the base of the reduction reactor. The amount of Pb and Zn rich liquid drawn from the two layers and subsequently circulated around the system is controlled thereby varying the Pb/Zn ratio. To drive the endothermic reduction of ZnO formed in the oxidiser, hot Zn vapour is ‘blown’ into the reducer where it condenses, releasing latent heat. The Zn vapour to produce this ‘blast’ of hot gas is generated in a flash vessel fed with hot liquid metal extracted from the oxidiser. A mass and energy balance has been conducted for a power system, operating on the Pb/Zn cycle. In the analysis, reactions are assumed to reach equilibrium and losses associated with turbomachinery are considered; however, pressure losses in equipment and pipework are assumed to be negligible. The analysis reveals that a power system with a second law efficiency of between 62% and 68% can be constructed with a peak turbine inlet temperature of only ca. 1850 K. The efficiency varies as the ratio between power and H2 production varies, with the lower efficiency occurring at the maximum power output condition.

150 kW Class Two-Stage Radial Inflow Condensing Steam Turbine System

A prototype machine for a 150 kW class two-stage radial inflow condensing steam turbine system has been constructed. This turbine system was proposed for use in the bottoming cycle for 2.4 MW class gas engine systems, increasing the total electrical efficiency of the system by more than 2%. The gross power output of the prototype machine on the generator end was 150kW, and the net power output on the grid end which includes electrical consumption of the auxiliaries was 135kW. Then, the total electrical efficiency of the system was increased from 41.6% to 43.9%. The two-stage inflow condensing turbine system was applied to increase output power under the supplied steam conditions from the exhaust heat of the gas engines. This is the first application of the two-stage condensing turbine system for radial inflow steam turbines. The blade profiles of both high- and low-pressure turbines were designed with the consideration that the thrust does not exceed 300 N at the rated rotational speed. Load tests were carried out to demonstrate the performance of the prototype machine and stable output of 150 kW on the generator end was obtained at the rated rotational speed of 51,000 rpm. Measurement results showed that adiabatic efficiency of the high-pressure turbine was less than the design value, and that of the low-pressure turbine was about 80% which was almost the same as the design value. Thrust acting on the generator rotor at the rated output power was lower than 300 N. Despite a lack of high-pressure turbine efficiency, total thermal efficiency was 10.5% and this value would be enough to improve the total thermal efficiency of a distributed power system combined with this turbine system.

Evaluation of the Performance of a Sirocco Fan Driven by a Diesel Engine in Mist Sprayer Applications

The coupling of a sirocco fan, used to supply air to a mist sprayer, and a Diesel engine is studied in order to enhance the performance of the integrated system. In this case, the main problem for the correct design of the fan arises from the fact that it is not possible to define a priori the operating point. In fact, the rotational speed is not fixed as in the case of an electric motor driven fan, but is determined as an equilibrium of the power supplied by the engine and the power absorbed by the fan to recover the pressure drops of the mist sprayer system. In this paper, the experimental campaign performed to characterize the existent fans is presented. Moreover, the sprayer duct is characterized by using literature correlations and by performing numerical simulations. Then, the collected data are elaborated in order to scale the fans in order to enhance the performance of the system.

The Performance Modelling of a Single and Dual Pressure Unfired Once Through Steam Generator

During the worldwide combined cycle power plant (CCPP) power plant building boom high pressure steam cycle has been the design of choice for the most power plant developers. In combined cycle power plant; there are many key areas that can be focused on for improving the thermal efficiency of the cycle and their performances. One of these areas is the unfired heat recovery steam generator so-called once through steam generator (OTSG). The unfired utility scale OTSG is a critical component in the combined cycle power plant, since it is the connection between the gas turbine (GT) and the steam turbine (ST) power units. In this paper, an adequate model has been developed for performance simulation of the once through steam generator OTSG in CCPP application. This model is well applicable for single and two-level of the steam cycle operation pressure. The developed model was tested against an existing OTSG installed at Manx Electricity Authority, and the obtained results and conclusions from this effort are satisfactory with a neglected error and will be a magnificent starting point for future improvements.

Effect of Variable Guide Vanes and Natural Gas Hybridization for Accommodating Fluctuations in Solar Input to a Gas Turbine

In recent years, several prototype solar central receivers have been experimentally demonstrated to produce high temperature and high pressure gas capable of driving a gas turbine engine [1–4]. While these prototype receivers are generally small (< 1 MWth), advancements in this technology will allow for the development of solar powered gas turbine engines at a commercial level (sizes of at least several megawatts electric (MWe)). The current paper analyzes a recuperated solar powered gas turbine engine, and addresses engine considerations, such as material limitations, as well as the variable nature of solar input. In order to compensate for changes in solar input, two operational strategies are identified and analyzed. The first is hybridization, meaning the solar input is supplemented via the combustion of fossil fuels. Hybridization often allows for an increase in net power and efficiency by adding heat during periods of low solar thermal input. An alternative strategy is to make use of variable guide vanes on the compressor of the gas turbine engine, which schedule to change the air flow rate into the system. By altering the mass flow rate of air, and assuming a fixed level of heat addition, the operating temperature of the engine can be controlled to maximize power or efficiency. The paper examines how to combine hybridization with variable guide vane operation to optimize gas turbine performance over a wide range of solar thermal input, from zero to solar-only operation. A large material constraint is posed by the combustor, and to address this concern two alternative strategies — one employing a bypass valve and the other a combustor modified to allow higher temperature inlet air — are presented. Combustor modifications could include new materials and/or increased cooling air. The two strategies (bypass vs. no bypass) are compared on a thermodynamic basis. Finally, a yearly assessment of solar share and thermodynamic performance is presented for a 4.8 MWe gas turbine to identify the overall benefits of the operational strategies.

Ship Propulsion Self-Excited Torsional Vibration

Self-excited vibration is demonstrated in many common day events, for example, wheel-castor shimmy or a traffic sign twisting in a steady strong wind [1]. Another example, blade flutter, is well known in the gas turbine community. The affected system will typically oscillate at its natural frequency. When applied to propulsion shafting, the phenomenon produces significant levels of alternating torque that negatively affects the reliability of the drivetrain hardware. Starting with basic principles, this paper examines the conditions that can lead to self-excited torsional vibration. A screening parameter is developed that can be used to evaluate the potential for system instability. System stability mapping results are presented showing the effect of basic input parameters such as inertia, stiffness, and damping. The potential for self-excited torsional vibration is discussed in the context of recent trends in marine gas turbine propulsion (e.g. lightweight propulsors). Finally, countermeasures using the engine control system are outlined.

Improved Multiple Point Non-Linear Genetic Algorithm Based Performance Adaptation Using Least Square Method

At off-design conditions, engine performance model prediction accuracy depends largely on its component characteristic maps. With the absence of actual characteristic maps, performance adaptation needs to be done for good imitations of actual engine performance. A non-linear multiple point Genetic Algorithm based performance adaptation developed earlier by the authors using a set of non-linear scaling factor functions has been proven capable of making accurate performance prediction over a wide range of operating conditions. However, the success depends on searching the right range of scaling factor coefficients heuristically, in order to obtain optimum scaling factor functions. Such search ranges may be difficult to obtain and in many off-design adaption cases, it may be very time consuming due to the nature of trial and error process. In this paper, an improvement on the present adaptation method is presented using a Least Square method where the search range can be selected deterministically. In the new method, off-design adaptation is applied to individual off-design point first to obtain individual off-design point scaling factors. Then plots of the scaling factors against the off-design conditions are generated. Using the Least Square method, the relationship between each scaling factor and the off-design operating condition is generated. The regression coefficients are then used to determine the search range of the scaling factor coefficients before multiple off-design points performance adaptation is finally applied. The developed adaptation approach has been applied to a model single-spool turboshaft engine and demonstrated a simpler and faster way of obtaining the optimal scaling factor coefficients compared with the original off-design adaptation method.