The following are synopses of papers and working cost/operational reports published in the Power Engineer from 2014 to 2018.
Paper 627 – December 2018
The RWE Developed System for Monitoring of Gas Turbine Air Intake Filtration Performance including Site Test Results
John Macdonald, RWE Generation UK
Compressor fouling occurs when there is unfavourable air quality and low efficiency
inlet air filters. The impact on the gas turbine is reduced efficiency and output.
Historically the GT OEM installed standard filters regardless of the local air quality and the Operator tried alternatives through a trial and error process that took years. This was made difficult as suppliers claimed filter efficiencies that could not be verified.
RWE, in partnership with Veotec, developed a portable system capable of sampling the air quality across each stage of filtration in-situ and measuring the number and size of particles in each sample.
The equipment was installed at an RWE CCGT and air quality and filtration efficiency was determined. From these measurements and performance data, a revised filter configuration was developed, installed and tested at site. This was carried out in less than two years. This paper describes the issue, the new equipment and the site test results.
Paper 626 – September 2018
Charles A Parsons and the Gas Turbine: A Contribution to the History of the Industrial Gas Turbine
John Bolter, Newcastle upon Tyne
Paper 625 September 2018
MAN industrial gas turbines for clean and flexible power – solutions for international power generation markets
Robert Krewinkel, Ulrich Orth, Detlef Viereck and Sven-Hendrick Wiers
The development of gas turbines for smaller power ranges is currently driven by the trend towards decarbonization, the move towards decentralized power generation with combined heat and power (CHP) applications as well as high operational flexibility regarding the choice of fuel and variation of power output to compensate for the fluctuations of power generation due to the increased use of renewable sources.
This paper will deal with MAN industrial gas turbines for the 6 MW class, the MGT6000, which provide clean and flexible power for such challenging requirements. These engines are available as a single-shaft version for electric power generation, optimized for CHP applications, as well as a two-shaft version for mechanical drives.
Technical design features such as the Advance Can Combustor (ACC) Technology for very low NOx and CO emissions and the use of additive manufactured (AM) components will be highlighted. In addition results of extended testing of the gas turbine driving an electric generator, which was conducted to investigate the transient behaviour of the MGT6000, will be presented.
Apart from these technical features of the gas turbines, solutions for the international power generation market will be discussed. CHP applications for different industries will be presented and the benefit of digital services such as life monitoring of machine data or trend analysis of operational data will be demonstrated.
Paper 624 – June 2018
Optimizing the Performance of a 500kW Diesel Generator: Impact of the Eo-Synchro Concept on Fuel Consumption and Greenhouse Gases
Mohamad Issa, Jean Fiset, Mohammadjavad Mobarra , Hussein Ibrahim, Adrian Ilinca
The power generation for many remote areas such as telecommunications infrastructures, mining facilities and isolated residential areas, is historically ensured with Diesel engine generators. The economical cost of energy is therefore very high not only due to inherent cost of fuel but also due to transportation and maintenance costs. The environmental cost of energy is also high as the use of fossil fuels for electricity generation is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the shipping industry is under great pressure to reduce its environmental impact. If no measures are taken, emissions are projected to increase 50-250% by 2050, while the Paris convention requires a significant reduction to achieve 2oC global warming target. Moreover shipping already contributes to 15% of the global emissions, which is also projected to increase if no measures are taken.
In previous work, we have explored and evaluated a new technique based on the Eo-Synchro concept to reduce fuel consumption and minimize the unit cost of electricity; a general savings of 7% of fuel consumption was found when the Eo-Synchro concept was applied on a 75KW Diesel Generator (DG). As a continuity of these previous works, experimental tests have been carried out on a 500KW DG to evaluate the performance of fuel consumption and gaseous emission characteristics when the Eo-Synchro concept is applied.
The experimental results show a significant fuel saving up to 15% can be obtained at low power loads and up to 5% at high power loads. On the other hand, the emission of nitrogen oxides (Nox) and of carbon dioxide (CO2) are 5,8% lower when the Eo-Synchro concept is used. The results for the other emissions are also shown in the figures and tables. Based on our results, an assessment of fuel savings and greenhouse gases reduction is presented for an off-grid mine site located in the Canadian North. A savings of 4% on fuel consumption and GHG emissions has been registered at high power loads.
Paper 623 – June 2018
Upgrading Combined Heat and Power Generation Plant at Thames Water Mogden Sewage Treatment Works
David Linsell, Thames Water
This paper describes the work in 2016 to install 3 x 2MWe biogas combined heat and power (CHP) generators at Mogden Sewage Treatment Works (STW). These were to replace the 4 x 2.4 MWe dual fuel engines installed in the early 1990s. The current project was achieved in good order despite the challenges provided by limited space, an operational site, a new to Thames Water contracting strategy and the regulatory deadline imposed by closure of the Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROC) regime.
This paper follows on from an IDGTE Technical Visit to Mogden STW in October 2016. The paper includes a summary of Sludge Processing by Thames Water, operations at Mogden STW, the Mogden CHP Project, the Thames Water CHP fleet and maintenance and some future developments.
CHP has been part of the Thames Water, and its predecessors, business at Mogden since 1936. In the 1980s the state of CHP developments across Thames Water were presented papers in the IDGTE journals written by the late Harry Maurer:
Paper 458 – CHP Installation in Medium Sewage Treatment Works H F Maurer
Paper 483 – Small Scale Combined Heat & Power Plants in Thames Water Provinces H F Maurer
Paper 622 – March 2018
A Brief Review of Condition Monitoring Techniques for Gas Turbines
Yu Zhang
Gas turbines have played a key role in aeronautical industry, power generation and as mechanical drives for pumps and compressors. To monitor the efficiency and reliability of gas turbines, the employment and improvement of a remote condition monitoring and fault diagnostic system is of great importance. This paper introduces a scheme of condition monitoring for gas turbines, including sensor validation, steady-state and transient operation discrimination, and novelty or fault detection. Moreover, the methodologies are categorised as knowledge-based rules, signal processing-based techniques and model-based approaches. Among them, model-based approaches further take account of white-box, black-box and grey-box modelling techniques. The strengths and weaknesses of the methods are discussed, and future work in this research area is also recommended.
Keywords: Gas turbine; condition monitoring; fault diagnosis; signal processing; grey-box modelling.
Paper 621 – March 2018
Using the fuel flexibility of Gas Turbines to decarbonise Power Generation
Michael Welch, Siemens AG
The power generation industry has a major role to play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular. There are two fundamental ways to reduce CO2 emissions from power generation: improved conversion efficiency of fuel into electrical energy, and switching to fuels with lower carbon contents.
Gas turbine generator sets, whether in open cycle, combined cycle or cogeneration configuration, offer some of the highest efficiencies possible across a wide range of power outputs. With natural gas, the fossil fuel with the lowest carbon content, as the primary fuel, they produce among the lowest CO2 emissions per kWh generated. It is though possible to decarbonise power generation further by making use of the fuel flexibility of the gas turbine, by fully or partially displacing the natural gas used, or by switching to lower carbon fuels such as propane or LPG in place of diesel and fuel oils.
In a number of industries, an off-gas containing hydrocarbons is produced which is often flared, creating CO2 emissions. These off-gases can be used to generate power locally in decentralised power plants, displacing the need to import power from centralised fossil fuel power plant and thus decreasing global CO2 emissions. Alternatively, ‘surplus’ renewable power generation can be used to create hydrogen, which can be stored and used as a gas turbine fuel when renewable power generation is low, displacing all or a percentage of the fossil fuel used. As hydrogen is a zero carbon fuel, it offers the opportunity for gas turbines to produce zero carbon electricity.
This paper examines the potential to use a wide range of unconventional low carbon fuels and hydrogen in industrial gas turbines, and reviews operational experience gained in various industries and the future potential developments for further decarbonisation of power generation.
Volume 21 Issue 4 December 2017 Paper 620
Modeling And Optimization Of The Energy Production Based On Eo-Synchro Application
Mohamad ISSA, Éric DUBÉ, Mohammadjavad MOBARRA, Jean FISET, Adrian ILINCA
In this paper, we are studying an innovative solution to reduce fuel consumption and production cost for electricity production by diesel generators. The solution is particularly suitable for remote areas where the cost of energy is very high not only of inherent cost of technology but also due to transportation cost. After a brief description of power generation based on an conventional synchronous alternator, the attention is focused on the Eo-Synchro concept. Then an innovative approach for optimizing the energy is proposed; it is based from the fact that the structure that contains the stator windings of the alternator is mounted on roller bearings which allows its free rotation around the axis of the rotor, consequently stopping the rotor structure from being static and aims to minimize the unit cost of electricity. Our model yields improved performance on fuel saving at all generator load stages compared to the conventional model. Experimental results on a 75kW Diesel Generator (DG) validate the performance of the proposed model.
Keywords — Diesel generator, power generation system, electrical machines, control of rotor speed, control of stator speed, Eo-Synchro concept, fuel saving.
Volume 21 Issue 4 December 2017 Paper 619
Review of IDGTE technical papers published from 1913-2016
David Robbins, Ronald Hunt
IDGTE is the place where all involved in the power and engine industries can develop their knowledge in the field of diesel engines, gas engines, gas turbines and related technologies. We are unique in being dedicated to these Technologies.
This review is being presented in order to assist members, researchers and others to get the best out of the IDGTE papers archive and with the objective of encouraging others to contribute to the archive by submitting papers for publication. A listing of all archived papers and analysis by subject, area of interest and sources is available from www.idgte.org. Up to the end 2016 there have been more than 632 papers published by the institution. The technologies to be found in the archive include reciprocating engines, diesel and gas engines, gas turbines, off-shore installations, power plants, combined cycle, marine engines, rail traction, automotive engines, road transport, emergency power and standby power. In addition to the engine itself the archive includes many papers on the associated, supporting technologies and control systems. The source of these papers is truly international with 30 countries having submitted papers and the list also identifies over 180 individual entities who have papers published.
The review also looks at the continuing role of the IDGTE papers programme today, the papers archive in the digital age and how to get papers published in the IDGTE programme.
The papers archive is a highly valued benefit and free for members to access. It is a treasure trove of information on engine technology gathered over the last 100 years and is still active and growing. The papers are available on application to non-members @ £9.50 each.
Volume 21 Issue 3 October 2017 Paper 618
New sensor technology for exhaust gas temperature
Patrice FLOT and Alain MESLATI, CMR Group, FRANCE
Exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors measure the highest temperatures on reciprocating engines. Technical scope includes the full exhaust gas circuit, the after treatment system (which is in close proximity to the turbines), rear of the cylinder head exhaust valves, and on occasion, inside the actual combustion chambers where the hot gases are generated.
The paper quickly highlights the pros and cons of the current types of EGT sensitive elements, in relation to the constraints encountered when measuring exhaust gas temperatures. Then it focuses on new capabilities brought by digital sensors, showing the range of competitive advantages experienced from the very first sensors introduced onto high horsepower engine platforms.
Volume 21 Issue 2 July 2017 Paper 617
Considerations when Paralleling Generating Sets
Robert Patrick, Cummins Power Generation
Applications where several generating sets are paralleled together are quite common today. Either to supply electrical power to a facility in island mode or paralleled together with the utility in an infinite bus topology.
Standby generators are frequently paralleled together to protect critical applications such as hospitals or data centres in the event of a failure from the utility. In other situations they are used for periodic emergency support to directly back-up the national electricity network. Then there is the scenario where a utility supply is not even available and paralleled groups provide the only source of reliable energy to a specific site. The configurations are immense.
Whatever the application, paralleling is a fundamental concept in power generation and invariably introduces specific challenges that must be overcome.
Volume 21 Issue 2 July 2017 Paper 617
Medium combustion plants Directive: Emissions limits
Pedro Ponte, Cummins Power Generation
Over the past decade, raised awareness and concern over the effect of engine exhaust emissions has led to the introduction of more and more stringent regulatory limits around the world, leading to a significant reduction of pollutant emissions.
Despite this, the level of air pollution in many places is still problematic. Even though the impact of current legislation has been significant, there are still gaps and not all applications are regulated. With this in mind, on 25 November 2015 the European Parliament signed a new directive that regulates emission limits from medium combustion plants.
Volume 21 Issue 1 April 2017 Paper 616
World’s first ethane-powered marine vessels
Grant Gassner, Paolo Cenini, jell Ove Ulstein and Carlo Contessi – Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Originally designed to run on LNG, MDO and HFO, the Dragon class vessels were meant to use LNG as fuel when trading ethane and other LPG cargos. However, logistical challenges with LNG and extremely favourable price development of ethane led to the idea to use LEG cargo boil-off as fuel. Wärtsilä worked in close collaboration with Evergas and INEOS to make the world’s first ethane powered marine vessels a reality.
Volume 21 Issue 1 April 2017 Paper 615
World’s first ethane-powered marine vessels
Grant Gassner, Paolo Cenini, jell Ove Ulstein and Carlo Contessi – Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Originally designed to run on LNG, MDO and HFO, the Dragon class vessels were meant to use LNG as fuel when trading ethane and other LPG cargos. However, logistical challenges with LNG and extremely favourable price development of ethane led to the idea to use LEG cargo boil-off as fuel. Wärtsilä worked in close collaboration with Evergas and INEOS to make the world’s first ethane powered marine vessels a reality.
Volume 20 Issue 4 December 2016 Paper 614
Gas turbine air filter system optimization
by James DiCampli & Jack Pan, GE Power & Water and Mark Arsenault, American Air Filter Ltd
Proper air filtration is critical to the overall performance and reliability of gas turbines. Fuel costs approach 80%of the life cycle cost of electricity. Small gains in efficiency can mean huge savings. With fuel costs of around $16.00/mmBTU and higher in Asia, operational savings can be achieved through improved compressor performance using High Efficiency (HEPA) air filters. Operators can see greatly reduced maintenance costs as a result of a much cleaner engine, quantified by less frequent inspections, fewer shutdowns, and higher availability. HEPA filtration can maintain optimum GT efficiency throughout the life of the filter. This paper will explore the decision criteria required in selecting an optimum air filtration solution, with a goal of maximizing gas turbine availability and lowering operating costs. Through case studies and analysis, the review will explore the impacts on essential filter parameters and their impact on gas turbine operations and maintenance.
Volume 20 Issue 3 September 2016 Paper 613
Flowmaster gas turbine system modelling
Sergio Antioquia, Mentor Graphics
In the gas turbine field there are two traditional applications of CFD methods. Three-dimensional (3D) modelling is usually applied at component and sub-component level, in order to study and optimise parts like compressor and turbine blades, or combustor sections. Alternatively, the one-dimensional (1D) approach is usually focussed at the system level, as simulations can be run much faster by assuming that the dominant flows are 1D in nature. Flowmaster is a 1D thermo-fluid code that can provide solutions for systems such as fuel, blade cooling and lubrication networks, as well as secondary airflow applications via its dedicated swirl solver. Its unique capabilities to model the secondary airflow inside cavities effectively allow for a pseudo-3D calculation, increasing the model fidelity, without incurring the time penalty of a 3D approach. This secondary airflow module combines modelling of cross sections of the engine (likely a 2D view, considering the axial symmetry) with dedicated components, allowing the user to predict the effect on performance due to the airflow that is either bled into the secondary air system or lost through the small gaps in the engine. It combines this technology with a number of specific components, such as labyrinth or brush seals, or sets of orifices, which can help to optimise the actual model and increase the efficiency. Finally, future developments in the module will allow a direct 1D (system level) and 3D (component level) integration, reducing time and increasing resolution at once.
Volume 20 Issue 3 September 2016 Paper 612
Hybrid power generation for remote communities and industrial facilities
G Cooper & Sedighy, Hatch, Canada
The demand for cost-effective and reliable power supply networks for remote communities and mining operations has been generating new opportunities for renewable power projects worldwide. Typically, the primary fuel option for remote sites is light fuel oil No. 2 (also commonly referred to as diesel). The all-in costs of power generation can average $0.25/kWh (Canadian Dollars, “CAD”) and for smaller systems at difficult to reach locations can reach to more than 1$/kWh (CAD). These economic features provide a landscape where unsubsidized small solar and wind power installations can be cost competitive on a levelized cost basis over the life of the project. However while the intermittent generation and output variation inherent to renewables can be absorbed by large interconnected transmission systems, thedynamic performance of solar and wind systems has a more severe impact on small isolated/captive power systems. This paper describes key design approaches, equipment limitations, and control systems for the hybridization of renewable and fossil fueled power sources while presenting a featured project at a mining location in the Canadian Artic.
Volume 20 Issue 2 June 2016 Paper 611
Gas turbine performance adaptation for an aeroderivative gas turbine engine power station
Dr Tomas Alvarez – ENDESA, Dr T Nikolaidis, Dr M Diakostefanis, Dr S Sampath and Prof P Pilidis – Cranfield University
Gas turbine based power plant operators are facing challenges in the ever changing and complex power demand pattern from the grid. These arise from a variety of circumstances comprising of changing load demand requirements, fluctuation of fuel prices and environmental pressures. These changes result in modifications to the maintenance requirements where, often, there is not sufficient prior experience.
In this commercial environment the deployment of analytical tools and methods can provide valuable insights to help refine operational decisions with improved knowledge. The work described here is based on an industry-academia collaboration where gas path diagnostic techniques developed in academia are being deployed in a power station in an island grid. The gas turbine in question is a triple spool aero derivative gas turbine used for power production.
The first step towards diagnostics is to establish an accurate performance simulation model of the gas turbine under consideration, based on information available in the public domain and inputs provided by the collaborating power plant. This process has been termed as gas turbine model adaptation. This is the exercise described here comprising private company data, public data and targeted estimates by the research team. This exercise of adapting a model based on information publicly available, plant specific data obtained from the power plant and engineering judgement used by the research team has resulted in a strong platform which will act as the foundation for the development of diagnostics methods for the plant.
Volume 20 Issue 2 June 2016 Paper 610
Power augmentation of existing CCGTs and OCGTs by injection of hot compressed air
James Macnaghten, CEO, Isentropic Ltd
Isentropic Ltd has developed a compressed air energy storage system intended to address the operational issues of existing and new build Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT), by allowing for faster ramping, greater turndown, and shifting of power from periods of low profitability to periods of high profitability. The Isentropic® GTI-Storage system currently being patented by Isentropic Ltd is based on the process of extraction, storage and subsequent reinjection of hot compressed air back into the gas turbine in a CCGT power plant. Air extraction and air injection has been done in gas turbine plants in the past and this system utilises this process, but with the addition of thermal storage.
Two system variants are identified, incorporated into a single shaft CCGT plant: and increasing resolution at once.
(i) Rapid Response and
(ii) Enhanced Turndown
In this paper, both system variants are assessed in detail with an accompanying explanation of their main features and forecast costs.
Volume 20 Issue 1 March 2016 Paper 609
British Tank Engines of World War I
Trevor Owen
This paper traces the history of development of engines for British tanks which were used during World War I. The initial engine selection was strictly limited as there was only one petrol engine in production in the UK that could provide the required minimum power within an acceptable size. The diesel engines of the era were too large and underpowered.
The initial selection proved to be a liability in service with a significant list of problems which affected its performance and reliability in action, including the production of clouds of blue smoke that gave warning to the enemy forces of a pending attack.
It was therefore necessary to develop and produce a replacement engine on a top priority basis. Harry Ricardo was engaged to undertake the task commencing in October 1916 and he was assisted with the design and production work by George Windeler, Chief Engineer of Mirrlees Bickerton and Day (who later became President of DEUA). The new engine was in volume production by April 1917 having previously met all the onerous design requirements during the prototype testing phase. It was the first engine to be manufactured in volume by multiple engine manufacturers within the UK with full interchangeability of parts.
The paper incorporates feedback on problems and service results from various publications and also from some unpublished notes by Ricardo.
Volume 20 Issue 1 March 2016 Paper 608
The Life of a CCGT Power Station Engineering Design Life versus The Commercial World
Peter Tottman, Barking Power Limited
This paper gives a technical review of the development, construction, operation and decommissioning of the 1,000MW Barking CCGT Power Station; setting out the overall performance of the project, both technical and financial, the engineering challenges that the project encountered and its closure. Suggestions are made as to the importance of end-of-life planning for engineering plant.
The power station closed before its technical life had expired, giving rise to an engineering question “How do engineers reconcile their decision making during the design and operation of assets to the realities of the commercial world, so as to adhere to their Code of Conduct requirement that Members shall take all reasonable steps to avoid waste of natural resources, damage to the environment, and damage or destruction of man-made products?”
The premature closure of Barking, along with other stations from the Dash-for-Gas era, poses the question -is the initial investment and exit decision making of a free market privatised industry suboptimal when compared to a public centrally controlled industry, and to what extent do the supposed cost benefits of privatisation outweigh the cost of suboptimal asset utilisation?
Volume 19 Issue 4 December 2015 Paper 607
MAN B&W Stationary Engines – Alternative Fuels
Helle Gotfredsen, MAN Diesel & Turbo
The demand for energy and technological development is increasing worldwide.
Ideas, proven by operational experience on reciprocating engines with the highest possible efficiency level, are subject to renewed interest. This paper deals with the use of alternative fuels in MAN B&W two-stroke low speed engines for stationary application.
Volume 19 Issue 3 September 2015 Paper 606
Efficiency gains by bottoming reciprocating engines with an ORC
Thomas Clark, ElectraTherm Inc.
Reciprocating engine power generation efficiencies are well defined and understood, but significant increases are hard to find, costly and could add additional complexity and maintenance to the end user. One consideration is to investigate the value of the waste heat created by the engine, where in most instances today waste heat is just released to the atmosphere via the engine’s radiator and exhaust.
Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology is not new, but in recent years with the development of smaller packaged commercial ORC units, new and existing reciprocating engines are being retrofitted to turn the wasted thermal energy into increased power output. With the commercialization of lower temperature ORC systems, jacket water and exhaust are excellent sources of energy that can be converted into fuel savings. The ORC uses this previously wasted heat for additional fuel free, emission free power. ORC configurations can utilize either high temperature (exhaust), low temperature (jacket water) or a combination of both, demonstrating fuel efficiency gains up to 12%. The cooling power of the ORC also allows it to act as the engine’s radiator – saving on capital and displacing up to 30% of the ORC’s initial upfront cost. Instead of purchasing a radiator, an integrated ORC can become a radiator with a payback. For systems consuming diesel fuel, paybacks in fewer than 2-3 years are achievable.
This paper demonstrates the potential of low temperature ORC technology coupled to reciprocating engines with applications throughout manyindustries. Also described is information about technical aspects of ORC machines, including the specific differentiation of ElectraTherm’stechnology, fleet experience, robustness of design, and other attributes to consider when choosing an ORC for engine applications. The paperidentifies specific examples and experiences from ElectraTherm installations in Europe and North America. Finally, the paper identifies important site considerations and payback scenarios analysis for engine users to have a full understanding of a complete project.
Volume 19 Issue 3 September 2015 Paper 605
The diesel cycle verified for methanol operation
Helle Gotfredsen, MAN Diesel & Turbo
In 2012 MAN Diesel & Turbo decided to expand the engine portfolio with engine designs that allow operation on fuels with low flashpoints.
Since then, nine engines of the 50-bore MAN B&W engine design intended for operation on methanol have been ordered. The orders placed are based on MAN Diesel & Turbo’s proven ME-LGI design concept and the engines will be delivered in 2015 from various licensees.
On 17 March 2015, the first test on methanol was completed at MAN Diesel & Turbo’s Diesel Research Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, in the pres-ence of classification societies, ship-owners, licensees and fuel gas system makers. This technical paper focuses on the technical data obtained from this test and the subsequent test made on a 4-cylinder engine in Japan.
Volume 19 Issue 2 (June 2015) Paper 604
Adsorption: A simple and cost-effective solution to remove varnish
Bryan Holden, C.C. Jensen Ltd and Scott Taylor, Sembcorp Utilities (UK) Ltd
Varnish has emerged as one of the most destructive of oil contaminants in industry. Just like heat, particle and moisture contamination, varnish acts as a so-called soft contaminant that severely degrades the lubricant and impacts machine reliability.
A major issue is that varnish is known to be smaller than the size ratings of most filters and, therefore, cannot be removed using conventional pore-size related filtration. This article focuses on adsorption – a practical, simple and relatively low-cost solution to varnish removal.
Adsorption is the adhesion of molecules to a solid surface. Adsorptive filtration is the retention of particles to a filter medium by electrostatic forces or by molecular attraction. For better understanding, it is helpful to address four common myths related to varnish removal.
Volume 19 Issue 2 (June 2015) Paper 603
Optimisation of GT air intake filtration through the implementation of water-removal technologies
Gianluca de Arcangelis TT Filtration
Gas turbine air intake filtration (AIF hereafter) has become a popular topic in view of the risks and costs provided by letting dirt and corrosive and erosive particles through to the compressor and to the GT hot parts. As a result, nowadays most GT operators seek to install EPA filters.
It is important to consider that traditional filtration technologies are strictly ‘air’ filters, while the environment in real life presents important challenges to separate water, fog and high humidity.
The choice of prefilters is critical since these should aim to guarantee that no free water particles leach through, as well as a long life. This paper provides details of such new filtration technologies.
Volume 19 Issue 1 (March 2015) Paper 602
Economic evaluation of online washing for a heavy duty gas turbine operation
Uyioghosa Igie, Pericles Pilidis, Daniel Giesecke and Orlando Minervino – Gas Turbine Engineering Group, Cranfield University and Paul Lambart – R-MC Power Recovery Ltd
Compressor fouling is known to degrade the performance of gas turbine engines and online washing has shown to be promising in mitigating the effects of fouling. Despite some of the positive findings from actual engine operation or laboratory experiments presented in open literature, there is yet no study that addresses the economic viability of this technology. The aim of this study is to ascertain whether the performance (power) enhancement benefit of washing outweighs the capital investment and recurring cost for a heavy duty gas turbine.
The study applies actual engine data for a case of continuous operation for a period of one year. The engine is known to be degraded due to compressor fouling and results from previous experimental study of online washing has been implemented to predict the changes in the capacity.
Executing online washing every 10 days, at a constant recovery rate of 30% translated to an additional profit of £236,000 (after deducting the operational and maintenance cost of washing) due to improved capacity for the 240MW plant in that year. The return on investment and payback period were calculated and the results indicate 163% and 0.66 years respectively, while washing more than one engine proved more beneficial. The investigation clearly indicates the potential economic benefit of online washing as well as demonstrating the viability for a heavy duty industrial gas turbine engine for base load operation.
Volume 18 Issue 4 (December 2014) Paper 601
Fuel Flexibility Done Right
MAN B&W ME-GI-S and MAN B&W LGI-S for stationary applications
MAN Diesel & Turbo
This paper deals with the latest developments of the MAN B&W ME-GI-S and ME-LGI-S dual fuel two-stroke low speed diesel engines and associated fuel gas supply systems.
The discussion about and the requirement for lowering CO2, NOx, SOx and particulate emissions have increased operators’ and owners’ interest in investigating future fuel alternatives. The MAN B&W ME-GI-S and ME-LGI-S engines offer the opportunity of utilising such alternatives, also for stationary application.
The gaseous/liquid fuel flexibility makes the MAN B&W ME-GI-S and ME-LGI-S engines an obvious choice for projects where the engine is connected to interruptible gas supply systems or where a switch/mixing ratio among various fuels is required for various reasons.
Volume 18 Issue 3 (September 2014) Paper 600
Extended Fuels Capability of Siemens’ SGT-400 DLE Combustion System
Brian M Igoe, Expert Proposal Manager (FEED) and Andy Stocker, Product Manager SGT-400, Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd, Lincoln
To meet the growing demand to operate on gaseous fuels with little or no treatment, or use fuels derived from a variety of waste conversion processes Siemens Energy has extended the fuels capability of its’ product range, especially the Dry Low Emissions combustion system. Fuels containing high levels of inert species, nitrogen or carbon dioxide, lower the effective Wobbe Index of the fuels, thus needing increased fuel mass flow to achieve the same energy content.
This paper presents the development process along with the results achieved to accommodate a wide range of fuels. Discrete changes were required in the DLE burner hardware allowing fuel flows to be achieved at similar supply pressures and combustor pressure drop as for standard fuels thus ensuring combustion characteristics were not compromised.
Some applications are presented and discussed covering both on-shore and off-shore duty, including the most recent application on the SGT-400 using a weak bio-gas derived from an ethanol production plant. A gas only solution was applied, requiring careful management of the control parameters to achieve acceptable starting and transient operation through to the application of load.
This programme demonstrates the ability of the Siemens DLE combustor to accommodate a wide range of fuels.
Volume 18 Issue 2 (June 2014) Paper 599
Energy storage in the UK and Republic of Ireland electricity grids
Dr Jim Mooney, University of the West of Scotland
The widespread adoption of wind power generation as a means of providing electrical energy has brought significant changes to electrical power distribution systems in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI). These two countries are both remote from continental Europe with limited interconnection to the European electricity distribution network, and also have limitations in terms of grid interconnection within and between these two countries. As the amount of grid-connected wind generation capacity increases there are challenges in terms of integrating the variable nature of wind generation, however, there are also opportunities arising from the changing mix of generation taking place in the UK and ROI. This paper discusses a method of integrating the operation of wind generators with Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) and energy storage in the form of hydrogen.
Hydrogen acts as a storable ‘energy carrier’ that can be either converted back into electricity thus providing a balancing service to electricity generators and suppliers, or used as a ‘zero emissions’ fuel for other applications, such as transport. [1] Hydrogen (H2) can be produced from water and electricity by means of electrolysis. It has a very high energy density and can be stored in caverns practically without loss in virtually unlimited quantities for unlimited periods. This makes it ideally suited for storing energy for periods of weeks or whole seasons. Furthermore H2 can be converted back into electricity using fuel-cells, gas turbines or gas engines. Other options being explored for hydrogen include injection into the natural gas network.
Volume 18 Issue 1 (March 2014) – Paper 598
Flexible conventional generation plant, with full flue gas abatement
Peter Grima, Enemalta Corporation, Malta
The Maltese electrical system is quite typical of small island power systems, and differs significantly from larger European ones in a number of key areas. Enemalta Corporation is the state owned vertically integrated utility and Malta has derogations from the Internal Electricity Market Directive on the requirement to open its market and on third party access to the network, making the Maltese Electricity Market effectively a single buyer/single seller structure. Typical of such small systems, is the lack of economies of scale which both increases operating costs and makes the usual way of unbundling and privatisation unfeasible.
At present Enemalta operates two Power Stations, which supply all the electrical power needs of the Islands of Malta and Gozo. These stations with a total combined nominal installed capacity of 620MW, are interconnected together by means of the HV distribution network. Malta has no indigenous primary energy resources and therefore Enemalta relies entirely on imported fuels, mainly heavy fuel oil and light distillate, although there are plans to construct a floating LNG storage and regasification plant at Marsaxlokk, adjacent to Delimara Power station. Once the interconnector is commissioned and put into service by the end of 2014, the older power station at Marsa will be decommissioned.