Operational Experience with an Innovative Gas Turbine Inlet Air-cooling System

摘要

The generated power and the efficiency of gas turbines depend on the air temperature at the compressor inlet. At high inlet air temperatures there is a significant drop in power since the mass flow rate of the inlet air decreases as its density becomes lower. In addition, there is an increase in specific compressor work, which reduces the efficiency of the cycle. Depending on the gas turbine type, the relative power reduction amounts to about 4 to 8% of the ISO rated power output and the relative efficiency reduction to about 0.5 to 3% of the ISO rated efficiency per 10K inlet air temperature rise. Thus, in periods of high ambient temperatures gas turbines have a lower power output and a lower efficiency than the equipment could actually perform. Linked with that are not only economic but also ecological disadvantages.