Impact of ISO 9000 Quality Program on Power Generating Industry

The objective of the ‘Roman Contracts’ concluded in 1957 was to establish a common European market, i.e. a gradual economic (and possibly political) union. This, however, required an increasing understanding that national reservations would have to be abolished and some basic measures implemented. Here European standardization plays an essential part, also with respect to harmonization — a presently very popular term in Europe. Harmonization means adaptation/standardization of the inevitably differing national, technical regulatory guides. The following milestones were decisive and determining for the harmonization of the regulatory guides: • Various decisions of the European Court of Justice1 concerning the limitation of the national reservations; • the new concept for the technical harmonization [1].

Compressed Air Energy Storage Thermal Performance Improvements

This paper covers the development of Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Systems and the methods used to increase performance and efficiency. It shows the evolution from the original non-recuperated cycle to the current designs, and examines the future possibilities of such cycles as CAES at 2500°F (1370°C), CAES with humidification, CAES integrated with coal gasification, and CAES with chemical recuperation.

Development of an On-Line Electrochemical Corrosion Monitoring System

Cold-end sulfuric-acid corrosion is a phenomenon common in boilers and heat recovery steam generators. Usually, operating conditions can be changed to reduce or eliminate corrosion. The operation of an on-line continuous corrosion probe in a test-rig and correlation with physical corrosion measurements is reported. Description of the development of a full-scale recuperator corrosion probe is presented as well as preliminary results.

Second Law Approach to the Analysis of Blade Cooling Effects on Gas Turbine Performance

A preliminary procedure has been developed to analyse the cooling of both nozzle and rotor blades in a gas turbine, evaluating the influence of the system on the performance of the machine. The developed method, which is based on a second law approach, defines the effects of the thermodynamic losses due to the forced convection air blade cooling on the performance of a typical heavy duty gas turbine in terms of lost exergy as function of the turbine inlet temperature.

Evaluation of Repowering Cycles

There are three primary methods by which an aging steam electric unit can be repowered by incorporating a gas turbine-generator. These are: heat recovery steam generator repowering, Feedwater Heater repowering, and Windbox repowering. Evaluation of these options can be very difficult due to the fact that the initial capital cost may be the smallest cost. The present worth of future fuel and maintenance costs can far outweigh the initial cost. An additional complexity is the fact that the repowered unit may have the best unit heat rate within the system. It will certainly be improved, which means the capacity factor will be increased. As the capacity factor increases, the cost of fuel becomes more significant. For a base loaded fossil unit, the cost of fuel is the largest single annual cost. Prediction of the future capacity factor is complex, involving many variables and uncertainties. Selection of the best method requires an evaluation of future energy demand and currently incurred capital costs as well as future fuel and maintenance costs. Determination of an optimum balance between present and future costs has always been the problem of the utility planner. The intent of this paper is to outline an evaluation method to determine the most suitable repowering option. Comments regarding each option will be made. In some cases, a selection can be made by intuition or by observing the obvious. In other cases, the selection will not be obvious. The utility will always benefit from the execution of a well thought out evaluation plan. Following an orderly procedure will enhance the thought process. In addition, a documented procedure will be available for re-evaluation when changes occur and will always provide documentation for future reference.

Performance Improvement in Industrial Gas Turbines

This paper describes the importance of maintaining high efficiency in industrial gas turbines used in power generation to reduce the consumption of a non-renewable energy resource and to minimize the harmful effects on our environment. The cost of inefficiency in monetary terms and in the production of harmful emissions is described. The significance of maintaining high component efficiency, especially the prevention of compressor fouling, on the overall engine performance is stressed. The effect of each component performance on engine efficiency is described in some detail. Examples on how component efficiencies can be improved are provided. Recommendations are made for reducing energy consumption by optimized operational procedure and improved engine maintenance.

Union Electric Company’s Combustion Turbine Inlet Air Cooling Study

Union Electric Company is a summer peaking utility, experiencing peak electrical load demands during the hot summer months. Combustion turbine generators are often used to meet the summer peak demands. However, the generating capability of a combustion turbine decreases as the ambient air temperature increases. When system peak demands are at their highest levels on the hottest days of the year, the generating capacity of the combustion turbines are at their lowest values. This lost generating capacity can be recovered by cooling the air entering the combustion turbines. Various combustion turbine inlet air cooling technologies were investigated for a General Electric Model 7B combustion turbine. The cooling technologies evaluated in the study were evaporative cooling, thermal energy storage (ice), on-line mechanical chiller, direct absorption chiller, steam absorption chiller with heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and once-through cooling using well water. Conceptual designs, performance estimates, installation and operating costs were developed for each alternative.

Biomass Gasification Hot Gas Cleanup for Power Generation

In support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Power Program, a Westinghouse Electric led team consisting of the Institute of Gas Technology, Gilbert/Commonwealth, and the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research, is conducting a 30-month research and development program to provide validation of hot gas cleanup technology with a pressurized fluidized bed, air-blown, biomass gasifier for operation of a combustion turbine. This paper discusses the gasification and hot gas cleanup processes, scope of work and approach, and the program’s status.