Water-Free Combined Cycle Power Plants for Distributed Power Generation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Welch
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Distributed Power ◽  
Full Load

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.

A Thermodynamic Analysis of Different Options to Break 60% Electric Efficiency in Combined Cycle Power Plants

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 770-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Chiesa ◽  
Ennio Macchi
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Thermodynamic Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Large Size

All major manufacturers of large size gas turbines are developing new techniques aimed at achieving net electric efficiency higher than 60% in combined cycle applications. An essential factor for this goal is the effective cooling of the hottest rows of the gas turbine. The present work investigates three different approaches to this problem: (i) the most conventional open-loop air cooling; (ii) the closed-loop steam cooling for vanes and rotor blades; (iii) the use of two independent closed-loop circuits: steam for stator vanes and air for rotor blades. Reference is made uniquely to large size, single shaft units and performance is estimated through an updated release of the thermodynamic code GS, developed at the Energy Department of Politecnico di Milano. A detailed presentation of the calculation method is given in the paper. Although many aspects (such as reliability, capital cost, environmental issues) which can affect gas turbine design were neglected, thermodynamic analysis showed that efficiency higher than 61% can be achieved in the frame of current, available technology.

Development of the Transpiration Air-Cooled Turbine for High-Temperature Dirty Gas Streams

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wolf ◽  
S. Moskowitz
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Specific Power ◽  
Skin Permeability ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Initial Exposure ◽  
Flow Capacity

Studies of combined cycle electic power plants have shown that increasing the firing temperature and pressure ratio of the gas turbine can substantially improve the specific power output of the gas turbine as well as the combined cycle plant efficiency. Clearly this is a direction in which we can proceed to conserve the world’s dwindling petroleum fuel supplies. Furthermore, tomorrow’s gas turbines must do more than operate at higher temperature; they will likely face an aggressive hot gas stream created by the combustion of heavier oils or coal-derived liquid or gaseous fuels. Extensive tests have been performed on two rotating turbine rigs, each with a transpiration air cooled turbine operating in the 2600 to 3000°F (1427 to 1649°C) temperature range at increasing levels of gas stream particulates and alkali metal salts to simulate operation on coal-derived fuel. Transpiration air cooling was shown to be effective in maintaining acceptable metal temperatures, and there was no evidence of corrosion, erosion, or deposition. The rate of transpiration skin cooling flow capacity exhibited a minor loss in the initial exposure to the particulate laden gas stream of less than 100 hours, but the flow reduction was commensurate with that produced by normal oxidation of the skin material at the operating temperatures of 1350°F (732°C). The data on skin permeability loss from both cascade and engine tests compared favorably with laboratory furnace oxidation skin specimens. To date, over 10,000 hr of furnace exposure has been conducted. Extrapolation of the data to 50,000 hr indicates the flow capacity loss would produce an acceptable 50°F (10°C) increase in skin operating temperature.

scholarly journals Gas Turbine Uprating Programme Development and Testing of the GT11NM

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Schneider ◽  
Vladimir Navrotsky ◽  
Prith Harasgama
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Cooling Technology ◽  
Improved Performance

ABB has approximately 200 GT11N and GT11D type gas turbines currently operating in simple cycle and combined cycle power plants. Most of these machines are fairly mature with many approaching the end of their economic life. In order that the power producer may continue to operate a fleet with improved performance, Advanced Air Cooling Technology and Advanced Turbine Aerodynamics have been utilized to uprate these engines with the implementation of a completely new turbine module. The objective of the uprating program was to implement the advanced aero/cooling technology into a complete new turbine module with: • Improved power output for the gas turbine • Increase the GT cycle efficiency • Maintain or improve the gas turbine RAM (Reliability, Availability & Maintainability) • Reduce the Cost of Electricity • Maintain or reduce the emissions of the gas turbine The GT11NM gas turbine has been developed based on the GT11N which has been in operation since 1987 and Midland Cogeneration Venture (MCV-Midland, Michigan) was chosen to demonstrate the uprated GT11NM. The upate/retrofit of the GT11N engine was conducted in May/June 1997 and the resulting gas turbine - GT11NM has met and exceeded the performance goals set at the onset of the development program. The next sections detail the main changes to the turbine and the resulting performance improvements as established with the demonstration at Midland, Michigan.

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

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Welch ◽  
Nicola Rossetti
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Organic Rankine Cycle ◽  
Rankine Cycle ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Operational Flexibility

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.

Parametric Analysis of Combined Cycles Equipped With Inlet Fogging

2006 ◽  
Vol 128 (2) ◽  
pp. 326-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bhargava ◽  
M. Bianchi ◽  
F. Melino ◽  
A. Peretto
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Power Enhancement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Combined Cycles

In recent years, deregulation in the power generation market worldwide combined with significant variation in fuel prices and a need for flexibility in terms of power augmentation specially during periods of high electricity demand (summer months or noon to 6:00 p.m.) has forced electric utilities, cogenerators and independent power producers to explore new power generation enhancement technologies. In the last five to ten years, inlet fogging approach has shown more promising results to recover lost power output due to increased ambient temperature compared to the other available power enhancement techniques. This paper presents the first systematic study on the effects of both inlet evaporative and overspray fogging on a wide range of combined cycle power plants utilizing gas turbines available from the major gas turbine manufacturers worldwide. A brief discussion on the thermodynamic considerations of inlet and overspray fogging including the effect of droplet dimension is also presented. Based on the analyzed systems, the results show that high pressure inlet fogging influences performance of a combined cycle power plant using an aero-derivative gas turbine differently than with an advanced technology or a traditional gas turbine. Possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed.

A Thermodynamic Analysis of Different Options to Break 60% Electric Efficiency in Combined Cycle Power Plants

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Chiesa ◽  
Ennio Macchi
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Thermodynamic Analysis ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Large Size

All major manufacturers of large size gas turbines are developing new techniques aimed at achieving net electric efficiency higher than 60% in combined cycle applications. An essential factor for this goal is the effective cooling of the hottest rows of the gas turbine. The present work investigates three different approaches to this problem: (i) the most conventional open-loop air cooling; (ii) the closed-loop steam cooling for vanes and rotor blades; (iii) the use of two independent closed-loop circuits: steam for stator vanes and air for rotor blades. Reference is made uniquely to large size, single shaft units and performance is estimated through an updated release of the thermodynamic code GS, developed at the Energy Dept. of Politecnico di Milano. A detailed presentation of the calculation method is given in the paper. Although many aspects (such as reliability, capital cost, environmental issues) which can affect gas turbine design were neglected, thermodynamic analysis showed that efficiency higher than 61% can be achieved in the frame of current, available technology.

Past, Present and Future of Combined Cycle Power Plants: From an A/E’s Perspective

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anup Singh
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Electrical Transmission ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
The U.S

In the 1970s, power generation from gas turbines was minimal. Gas turbines in those days were run on fuel oil, since there was a so-called “natural gas shortage”. The U.S. Fuel Use Act of 1978 essentially disallowed the use of natural gas for power generation. Hence there was no incentive on the part of gas turbine manufacturers to invest in the development of gas turbine technology. There were many regulatory developments in the 1980s and 1990s, which led to the rapid growth in power generation from gas turbines. These developments included Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (encouraging cogeneration), FERC Order 636 (deregulating natural gas industry), Energy Policy Act of 1992 (creating EWGs and IPPs) and FERC Order 888 (open access to electrical transmission system). There was also a backlash from excessive electric rates due to high capital recovery of nuclear and coal-fired plant costs caused by tremendous cost increase resulting from tightening NRC requirements for nuclear plants and significant SO2/NOx/other emissions controls required for coal-fired plants. During this period, rapid technology developments took place in the metallurgy, design, efficiency, and reliability of gas turbines. In addition, U.S. DOE contributed to these developments by encouraging research and development efforts in high temperature and high efficiency gas turbines. Today we are seeing a tremendous explosion of power generating facilities by electric utilities and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). A few years ago, Merchant Power (generation without power purchase agreements) was unheard of. Today it is growing at a very fast pace. Can this rapid growth be sustained? The paper will explore the factors that will play a significant role in the future growth of gas turbine-based power generation in the U.S. The paper will also discuss the methods and developments that could decrease the capital costs of gas turbine power plants resulting in the lowest cost generation compared to other power generation technologies.

Update on Mitsubishi G Series Gas Turbines With Over 78,000 Hours Fleet Operation

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Kallianpur ◽  
D. Stacy ◽  
Y. Fukuizumi ◽  
H. Arimura ◽  
S. Uchida
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Operating Time ◽  
Operating Experience ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Air Cooling ◽  
Commercial Operation ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Steam Cooling

Seven G gas turbines from Mitsubishi are in commercial operational at various combined cycle power plants since the first Mitsubishi G gas turbine was inroduced in 1997. The combined operating time on the fleet exceeds over 78,000 actual hours. Additional power plants using Mitsubishi G-series gas turbines are in advanced stages of commissioning in the U.S.A., and are expected to be in commercial operation in 2003. This paper describes operating experience of the Mitsubishi G-series gas turbines, which apply steam-cooling instead of air-cooling to cool the combustor liners. The paper discusses design enhancements that were made to the lead M501G gas turbine at Mitsubishi’s in-house combined cycle power plant facility. It also addresses the effectiveness of those enhancements from the standpoint of hot parts durability and reliability at other power plants that are in commercial operation using Mitsubishi G gas turbines.

Modified Rankine HRSG Beats Triple-Pressure System

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Eisenkolb ◽  
Martin Pogoreutz ◽  
Hermann Halozan
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Heat Recovery ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Pressure System ◽  
Exergy Losses

Gas-fired combined cycle power plants (CCP) are presently the most efficient systems for producing electricity with fossil fuels. Gas turbines have been and are being improved remarkably during the last years; presently they achieve efficiencies of more than 38% and gas turbine outlet temperatures of up to 610°C. These high outlet temperatures require modifications and improvements of heat recovery steam generators (HRSG). Presently dual pressure HRSGs are most commonly used in combined cycle power stations. The next step seems to be the triple-pressure HRSG to be able to utilise the high gas turbine outlet temperatures efficiently and to reduce exergy losses caused by the heat transfer between exhaust gas and the steam cycle. However, such triple-pressure systems are complicated considering parallel tube bundles as well as start up operation and load changes. For that reason an attempt has been made to replace such multiple pressure systems by a modified Rankine cycle with only a single-pressure level. In the case of the same total heat transfer surfaces this innovative single-pressure system achieves approximately the same efficiency as the triple-pressure system. By optimising the heat recovery from the exhaust gas to the steam/water cycle, i.e. minimising exergy losses, the stack temperature is much higher. Increasing the heat transfer surfaces means a decrease of the stack temperature and a further improvement of the overall CCP-efficiency. Therefore one has to be aware that the proposed system offers advantages not only in the case of a foreseeable increase of gas turbine outlet temperatures but also for presently available gas turbines. Using existing highly efficient gas turbines and subcritical steam conditions, power plants with this proposed Eisenkolb Single Pressure (ESP_CCP) heat recovery steam generator achieve thermal efficiencies of about 58.7% (LHV).

Parametric Analysis of Combined Cycles Equipped With Inlet Fogging

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Bhargava ◽  
M. Bianchi ◽  
F. Melino ◽  
A. Peretto
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Power Enhancement ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Combined Cycles

In recent years, deregulation in the power generation market worldwide combined with significant variation in fuel prices and a need for flexibility in terms of power augmentation specially during periods of high electricity demand (summer months or noon to 6 PM) has forced electric utilities, cogenerators and independent power producers to explore new power generation enhancement technologies. In the last 5–10 years, inlet fogging approach has shown more promising results to recover lost power output due to increased ambient temperature compared to the other available power enhancement techniques. This paper presents the first systematic study on the effects of both inlet evaporative and overspray fogging on a wide range of combined cycle power plants utilizing gas turbines available from the major gas turbine manufacturers worldwide. A brief discussion on the thermodynamic considerations of inlet and overspray fogging including the effect of droplet dimension is also presented. Based on the analyzed systems, the results show that high pressure inlet fogging influences performance of a combined cycle power plant using an aero-derivative gas turbine differently than with an advanced technology or a traditional gas turbine. Possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed.

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