Mist/moisture removal using fixed bed trickle columns

Abstract

A moisture removal system for removing water moisture from an air stream and an associated method are provided. The moisture removal system includes one or more packed beds that include a water-entry surface at which liquid water is received and an air-entry surface that is located substantially opposite the water-entry surface and at which the air stream is received. The air stream passes through the one or more packed beds in a direction substantially counter-current to the passage of the liquid water and the liquid water and the air stream contact one another in the one or more packed beds resulting in the removal of at least a portion of the water moisture from the air stream. The moisture removal system can be located upstream of and be operably connected to the inlet of a gas turbine system to which the air stream is delivered from the moisture removal system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to method and apparatus concerning the removal of water moisture from a gas and, in particular, to method and apparatus concerning the removal of water moisture from ambient air prior to the ambient air being applied at a gas turbine system.[0002]The removal of water moisture from gases, including the removal of finely divided water droplets suspended in air for example and referred to herein as an air / water mist, is performed in a variety of circumstances. One such circumstance, for example, concerns the operation of a gas turbine system for generating electricity in which an ambient air stream is mixed with fuel and the mixture combusted to produce gaseous products of combustion that are employed to drive a turbine that powers a rotor of an electric generator. Typically in such an operation, the ambient air that is mixed with the fuel can first be subjected to certain conditioning procedures.[0003]As an examp...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided of removing water moisture from an air stream. The method includes providing one or more packed beds that include a water-entry surface at which liquid water is received and thereafter passes through the one or more packed beds. The method also includes providing a respective water-supply apparatus that can be configured to furnish the liquid water to the water-entry surface of the one or more packed beds such as a spray head. The spray head can be located above the water-entry surface of the one or more packed beds and can distribute the liquid water to substantially the entirety of the water-entry surface. The one or more packed beds also can include an air-entry surface at which the air stream containing water moisture is received and thereafter passes through the one or more packed beds. The air-entry surface is located substantially opposite the water-entry surface so that the air stream passes through the one or more packed beds in a direction substantially counter-current to the passage of the liquid water through the one or more packed beds. The air stream containing water moisture can be delivered to the air-entry surface of the one or more packed beds and thereafter passed through the one or more packed beds. The air stream containing water moisture can be contacted with the liquid water as the air stream and the liquid water pass through the one or more packed beds, thereby removing at least a portion of the water moisture from the air stream. The moisture removal system can be located upstream of and be operably connected to the air inlet of a gas turbine system to which the air stream is delivered after at least a portion of the water moisture is removed from the air stream at the one or more packed beds.

Problems solved by technology

The water moisture deposited in this way at the filters can combine with the solid particulate matter also deposited at the filters forming a coating on the filters that interferes with the free flow of the air through the filters.

As a result, an increased pressure loss can be experienced at the filters.

In addition, the particles of water moisture can collide with one another and, as a result, drop out of the air stream.

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