Vapor separation system and method

Abstract

A vapor separation system including a cooler having an inlet configured to receive an air-oil-water mixture and an outlet configured to discharge separated oil and water in two distinct phases of matter, a first sensor at the outlet of the cooler, and a controller communicatively coupled to the cooler, the controller configured to receive temperature feedback from the first sensor and, based on the temperature feedback, increase or decrease an amount of cooling with the cooler to a separation temperature configured to liquefy at least a portion of the oil in the air-oil-water mixture while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air-oil-water mixture in a vaporized state.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to power generation systems, and more particularly to systems and methods for separating a mixture of at least two fluids having similar specific gravities, but each having its own vapor pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] Many known power plants use different turbine systems to generate electricity. Some of these turbine systems can be selectively activated and deactivated based on power demand at any given time, while others operate as base generators to sustain grid demand. For example, a peaking turbine system can be inactive during times of lower power use and then activated during times of higher power use to augment the power generated by other turbine systems in the power plant or turbine systems coupled to the grid. In turbine power generation systems, lubricants, such as synthetic lubricants, facilitate the movement of the turbine's rotating mechanical components, extract heat, and provide cooling for the rotating elements. Water may be injected into the turbine to suppress exhaust emissions. Furthermore, for power generation augmentation, water injection can be used in a "sprint" power mode to increase the mass of the working fluid, thereby increasing the power output of an open system in accordance with the first law of thermodynamics. In some instances, synthetic lubricants and water may become mixed during operation. At least some known fluid separators separate mixtures based on the different specific gravities of the mixture's component parts. However, it can be difficult to separate a mixture into its material portions using such separators when the material portions have similar specific gravities. Other known methods are also known for separating a fluid-fluid mixture into its material portions, such as methods based on viscosity, emulsion, or surface tension. Each of these known methods adds complexity to the process and may not provide effective rapid separation due to the time required to perform the process.

[0003] It would therefore be desirable to produce a separation system that can be reliably used with mixtures containing material fractions having similar specific gravities and that does not adversely affect normal turbine operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0332716 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one aspect, a vapor separation system includes a cooler having an inlet oriented to receive a mixture of air, oil, and water vapor / mist and an outlet oriented to discharge liquid oil and vapor water from the cooler. A first sensor is at the outlet of the cooler. A controller is communicatively coupled to the cooler, the controller configured to receive temperature feedback from the first sensor and, based on the temperature feedback, to cool the mixture with the cooler to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the mixture while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the mixture in a vaporized state, depending on the difference in vapor pressure between the two substances.

[0006] In another aspect, a gas turbine assembly is provided that includes a lubrication system and a mist / steam separation system. The steam separation system includes a cooler having an inlet adapted to receive a mixture of air, oil, and water vapor and an outlet adapted to discharge liquid oil and water vapor. During operation, heat from the gas turbine generates a mixture of air, oil, and water vapor / mist. A first sensor is located at the outlet of the cooler. A controller is communicatively coupled to the cooler, the controller receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor and using the cooler to cool the mixture of air, oil, and water to a separation temperature based on the temperature feedback, depending on the difference in vapor pressure between the two substances, while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the mixture in a vaporized state.

[0007] In another aspect, a vapor separation method includes directing an air, oil, and water mixture toward an inlet of a cooler; monitoring a temperature at an outlet of the cooler with a first sensor; receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor; and using the cooler to cool the air, oil, and water mixture based on the temperature feedback to a separation temperature configured to liquefy at least a portion of the oil in the incoming oil and water mixture and maintain at least a portion of the water in the oil and water mixture in a vapor state for discharge from the system. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gas turbine assembly. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary mixed fluid separation system that may be used with the gas turbine assembly shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009]

[0003] Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for separating a mixture of at least two fluids having similar specific gravities but different vapor pressures, or generally different specific gravities and different vapor pressures. Furthermore, the temperature at which oil vapor effectively separates from air may be different from the temperature at which water vapor condenses into a liquid. Specifically, embodiments described herein disclose systems and methods for use in controlling the cooling of a water and oil mixture in an air / oil separator. Controlling the cooling of the mixture allows for condensation of one substance in the mixture, facilitating effective separation of the mixture into its liquid and gaseous portions.

[0010] Because water and synthetic oil types commonly used in turbine lubrication have similar densities, other separation methods, such as gravity and / or centrifugation, may generally be ineffective at separating such mixtures. Accordingly, embodiments described herein use: 1) a method for determining cooler performance based on sensor data to predict cooling at different ambient temperatures; 2) a tuning system, such as a variable frequency drive unit, variable dampers, or on / off controls, for selectively starting and / or stopping the cooler motor and / or operating the motor at different speeds; and 3) a control system that can control the cooler outlet temperature given performance predictions from above and can determine the optimal temperature to facilitate cooling of the mixture, taking into account various environmental constraints (e.g., ambient temperature and / or altitude and its effect on the vapor point of water).

[0011] Unless otherwise specified, terms expressing approximation, such as "generally," "substantially," and "about," used herein indicate that the modified term may apply only to an approximate degree, as recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, rather than to an absolute or complete degree. Thus, values ​​modified by one or more terms, such as "about," "approximately," and "substantially," are not limited to the exact value specified. In at least some instances, terms expressing approximation may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring a value. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, terms such as "first," "second," and the like are used herein merely as labels and do not impose any order, position, or hierarchy requirements on the items they refer to. Furthermore, for example, a reference to a "second" item does not require or exclude, for example, the presence of a "first" item or a lower-numbered item, or a "third" or a higher-numbered item.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gas turbine assembly 100. In the exemplary embodiment, gas turbine assembly 100 includes an inlet duct 102, a stage of compressor inlet guide vanes 104, a compressor 106, a combustor 108, and a turbine section 110 coupled in a serial, axial flow relationship. Intake air 112 is channeled through duct 102 and the stage of inlet guide vanes 104 before the intake air is directed toward compressor 106. Compressor 106 compresses intake air 112 and discharges compressed air 114 toward combustor 108. A fuel injection system 116 supplies fuel 118 to combustor 108, and the resulting fuel-air mixture is ignited within combustor 108. Combustion gases 120 are discharged from combustor 108 and directed toward turbine section 110, where the mass and thermal energy of the combustion gases 120 is converted to work. A portion of the work is used to drive the compressor 106 and the remaining work is used to drive the generator 122 to produce electricity.

[0013] In the exemplary embodiment, gas turbine assembly 100 includes a water injection system 124 and a tank 126. Water injection system 124 is coupled in flow communication with compressor 106 or inlet duct 102 and selectively supplies a flow of water 128 to compressor 106 based on the operating conditions of gas turbine assembly 100. For example, water 128 may be discharged toward a main flowpath 130 of gas turbine assembly 100, such as for use in controlling emissions when gas turbine assembly 100 is operating in a sprint / peak firing mode and / or for power augmentation, etc. Gas turbine assembly 100 also includes a lubrication system 132 for use in lubricating rotating components of gas turbine assembly 100. Lubrication system 132 includes a tank 126 in flow communication with compressor 106 and turbine 110. Tank 126 is used to store a lubrication fluid 134, such as a synthetic lubricating oil, therein. In one embodiment, the specific gravity of the synthetic lubricating oil may range from about 0.83 to about 1.05. During operation, lubricating fluid 134 is directed between tank 126 and compressor 106 and / or turbine 110. The lubrication system also includes an air / oil mist recovery system that routes this mixture to a separation system.

[0014] When the water injection system 124 is used, water 128 can become undesirably mixed with the air / oil mist 136 within the turbine bearings. During normal turbine operation, this fluid mixture is heated by the turbine to a temperature above the vapor point of water. This mixture is then directed to the air / oil separation system 138 (shown in FIG. 2 ). With proper control and operation, the mist separation system 138 can be used to separate the air, oil, and water mixture 136 into its material portions. In some embodiments, the lubricating fluid 134 has a specific gravity approximately equal to or similar to that of water. Additionally, the lubricating fluid 134 generally has a lower vapor pressure than water. Thus, as described in more detail below, the vapor separation system 138 controls the cooling of the oil and water vapor mixture 136 to facilitate separation of the mixture into its two distinct phases.

[0015] 2 is a schematic diagram of a steam separation system 138 that may be used with gas turbine assembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1). In an exemplary embodiment, steam separation system 138 includes a first separation tank 140 that receives oil and water mixture 136 from the turbine bearings. Downstream of first separation tank 140 is a cooler 142, and downstream of cooler 142 is a second separator tank 144.

[0016] As described in more detail below, the oil and water mixture 136 is directed in a vaporized state to a cooler 142. The cooler 142 is operable to cool the oil and water vapor mixture 136 to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the oil and water mixture 136 while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the oil and water mixture in a vaporized state. The oil and water mixture 136 is then directed to a second separator tank 144. The tank 144 includes a vent 146 for releasing vaporized water, separated from the at least partially liquefied oil of the oil and water mixture 136 and displaced by forced air or natural leakage, from the separator tank 144 in a first product stream 148. Thus, a first liquefied product stream 150 having a reduced water content may be released from the separator tank 144 and returned to the tank 126 for further use, for example, in the operation of the gas turbine assembly 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ). Alternatively, the at least partially liquefied oil of the oil and water mixture 136 may be discharged from the first separator tank 140 and returned to the tank 126 for use in operating the gas turbine assembly 100.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, the cooler 142 includes a heat exchanger 154 having an inlet 174 that receives the oil and water vapor mixture 136 from the first separator tank 140 and an outlet 158 ​​that discharges the first product stream from the cooler 142. The heat exchanger 154 includes a fan 160 that directs an airflow (not shown) through the heat exchanger 154 to facilitate heat transfer between the airflow and the oil and water mixture 136. Specifically, heat is transferred from the oil and water mixture 136 to the airflow to reduce the temperature of the oil and water mixture 136 to a separation temperature. The separation temperature can be any temperature that allows at least a portion of the oil to liquefy while at least a portion of the water remains in a vaporized state. In other words, the cooler 142 cools the oil to facilitate separation, but does not cool the oil to a temperature that would cause the water to condense. In some embodiments, the separation temperature is defined as being within a range of approximately 212°F to approximately 250°F. In alternative embodiments, a cooler other than an air-cooled heat exchanger may be used to cool the oil and water mixture 136 .

[0018] The heat extraction performance of the cooler is controlled to maintain the oil-water mixture 136 at the desired separation temperature. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the cooler 142 includes a motor 162 coupled to a fan 160 and a controller 164 coupled to the motor 162. In one embodiment, the controller 164 is a variable frequency controller that can dynamically adjust the operation of the cooler 142 to facilitate maintaining the air-oil-water mixture 136 at the separation temperature. That is, the controller 164 can vary the operating speed of the motor 162, which the fan 160 rotates to adjust the amount of cooling airflow directed toward the air-oil-water mixture 136. In an alternative embodiment, the controller 164 selectively starts and stops the operation of the cooler 142 to maintain the oil-water mixture 136 at the separation temperature. In a further alternative embodiment, the cooler 142 may have a fixed specific performance while the flow rate of the oil-water mixture is variable, or may be controlled by varying the flow rate or temperature of the heat extraction fluid. The cooler 142 can be present in any heat exchange equipment that enables the system 138 to function as described herein, and can be used with fixed or variable controller performance, or with variable module sizes that facilitate achieving similar results.

[0019] The operation of the motor 162 is controlled based on feedback received by the controller 164 from one or more sensors in the vapor separation system 138. For example, the vapor separation system 138 may include a first sensor 166 at the outlet 158 ​​of the cooler 142, a second sensor 168 at the tank 126, and / or a third sensor 170 at the tank 126. The first sensor 166 monitors the temperature (i.e., separation temperature) of the oil-water mixture 136 discharged from the outlet 158. Thus, the operation of the motor 162 may be controlled to maintain the oil-water mixture 136 within a desired temperature range, as described above. The second sensor 168 monitors the water content in the oil tank 126. The third sensor 170 monitors the volume of liquid in the tank 126, for example, relative to at least one volume threshold. Feedback from any of sensors 166, 168 and / or 170 may be used by controller 164 to verify that separation of oil and water mixture 136 is occurring while maintaining the economic efficiency of gas turbine assembly 100 as well as separator performance. In an alternative embodiment, the air, oil and steam mixture can be cooled to promote efficient separation of the oil mist from the air while maintaining the temperature of the effluent above the water condensation temperature.

[0020] The embodiments described herein relate to power generation sites with high ambient humidity that use evaporative cooling and compressor spray intercooling (SPRINT) during their operation. In at least some known systems, lubricating oil can become undesirably contaminated with water, potentially causing blockage of turbine lubricating oil supply filters, resulting in high differential pressure alarms and potentially frequent filter changes, or premature oxidation of the oil, or causing rusting issues or inefficient heat extraction from the gas turbine 100. The systems described herein address this issue by controlling cooler performance, such as by varying motor speed with a variable frequency driver (VFD) to allow water to evaporate during oil return to the gas turbine. This results in reduced maintenance to the lubrication system and can facilitate reduced cooler motor load because the VFD is controlled based on ambient temperature and outlet oil temperature.

[0021] The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative only, and those skilled in the art will recognize that changes can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Modifications that are within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of a steam separation system are described above in detail. The systems and methods described herein are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein; rather, method steps may be utilized independently and separately from other steps described herein. For example, the methods described herein are not limited to practice with separation of mixtures found in gas turbine assemblies described herein. Rather, exemplary embodiments may be implemented and utilized in connection with any application in which it is desired to separate a mixture into its material fractions, regardless of whether the mixture exists in vapor or liquid form, and can be heated to achieve the separation methods referred to in this invention.

[0023] Although specific features of various embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only. Moreover, references to "one embodiment" in the above description are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. In accordance with the principles of the invention, any feature of a drawing may be referenced and / or claimed in combination with any feature of any other drawing.

[0024] Further aspects of the invention are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses. [Embodiment 1] 1. A vapor separation system comprising: a cooler having an inlet directed to receive a mixture of air, oil, and water vapor and an outlet directed to discharge the oil and water in different phases of matter from the cooler; a first sensor at the outlet of the cooler; and a controller communicatively coupled to the cooler, wherein the controller is configured to receive temperature feedback from the first sensor and, based on the temperature feedback, use the cooler to cool the oil and water mixture to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture in a vaporized state. [Embodiment 2] 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second separator tank downstream of the cooler for receiving the air-oil-water mixture and condensed liquid from the cooler, the separator tank comprising a vent for releasing vaporized water and air separated from the liquefied oil. [Embodiment 3] 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a return tank downstream of the second separator tank for receiving the liquefied product stream discharged from the separator tank. [Embodiment 4] The system of any one of clauses 1 to 3, further comprising at least one of a second sensor configured to monitor the water content of the liquefaction product stream and a third sensor configured to monitor the volume of liquid in the return tank, and wherein the controller is configured to cool the air, oil and water mixture based on water content feedback received from the second sensor, or at least one of volume feedback or oil-water content feedback received from the third sensor or any additional sensor to indicate performance of the separation system. [Embodiment 5] 5. The system of any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the controller is a variable frequency unit configured to dynamically adjust operation of the chiller to maintain the mixture of air, oil, and water at the separation temperature. [Embodiment 6] 6. The system of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the controller is configured to selectively start and stop operation of the chiller to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture at a separation temperature. [Embodiment 7] The system of any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the controller is configured to selectively start and stop operation of the mass flow rate, temperature of the secondary heat extraction fluid of the cooler, or add or remove additional heat exchangers to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature. [Embodiment 9] 1. A gas turbine assembly comprising: a lubrication system; a turbine that draws an air and oil mixture from a bearing of the turbine; and a steam separation system, wherein the steam separation system comprises: a cooler having an inlet directed to receive the air, oil, and water mixture from the lubrication system and an outlet directed to discharge the separated oil and water in two distinct phases of matter; a first sensor at the outlet of the cooler; and a controller communicatively coupled to the cooler, wherein the controller is configured to receive temperature feedback from the first sensor and, based on the temperature feedback, to cool the air, oil, and water mixture with the cooler to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture in a vaporized state. [Embodiment 10] 10. The assembly of clause 9, further comprising a water injection system configured to eject water toward a main flow path of the gas turbine assembly, wherein oil from the lubrication system and water from the water injection system form an air-oil-water mixture. [Embodiment 11] 11. The assembly of clause 9 or 10, further comprising a separator tank downstream of the cooler for receiving the mixture of air, oil and water discharged from the cooler, the separator tank comprising a vent configured to discharge vaporized water separated from the liquefied oil with or without residual liquefied water. [Embodiment 12] 12. The assembly of any one of clauses 9-11, further comprising a return tank downstream of the separator tank for receiving the liquefaction product stream discharged from the separator tank. [Embodiment 13] 13. The assembly of any one of clauses 9 to 12, further comprising at least one of a second sensor configured to monitor the water content of the liquefaction product stream and a third sensor configured to monitor the volume of liquid in the return tank, wherein the controller is configured to increase or decrease cooling of the air, oil and water mixture based on at least one of water content feedback received from the second sensor or volume feedback received from the third sensor. [Embodiment 14] 14. The assembly of any one of clauses 9 to 13, wherein the controller is a variable frequency unit configured to dynamically adjust operation of the chiller to maintain the air, oil and water mixture at the separation temperature. [Embodiment 15] 15. The assembly of any one of clauses 9-14, wherein the controller is configured to selectively start and stop operation of the cooler to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature. [Embodiment 16] 1. A method of vapor separation, comprising: directing an air, oil, and water mixture toward an inlet of a cooler; monitoring a temperature at an outlet of the cooler with a first sensor; receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor; and using the cooler to cool the air, oil, and water mixture based on the temperature feedback to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture in a vaporized state. [Embodiment 17] 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of directing the air, oil, and water mixture includes directing the air, oil, and water mixture containing oil having a specific gravity within 10 or 20% of the specific gravity of water. [Embodiment 18] 18. The method of claim 16 or 17, further comprising forming an air, oil and water mixture from oil and water discharged from the gas turbine assembly at an elevated temperature. [Embodiment 19] 19. The method of any one of clauses 16-18, further comprising directing the air, oil, and water mixture from the cooler to a separator tank; and discharging vaporized water separated from the liquefied oil from the separator tank. [Embodiment 20] 20. The method of any one of clauses 16-19, further comprising at least one of the steps of: using a variable frequency unit to dynamically adjust operation of the chiller to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature; selectively starting and stopping operation of the chiller to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature; and selectively varying the number of modular operations of the chiller and at least one of the flow rate or temperature of the heat extraction fluid to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature.

[0025] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 100 Gas turbine assembly 102 Inlet duct 104 Compressor inlet guide vane stage 106 Compressor 108 Combustor 110 Turbine Section 112 Intake 114 Compressed Air 116 Fuel injection system 118 Fuel 120 Combustion Gas 122 Generator 124 Water Injection System 126 Tanks, oil tanks 128 Water 130 Main channel 132 Lubrication System 134 Lubricating fluid 136 Air / oil mist, air-oil-water mixture, oil-water vapor mixture, oil-water mixture 138 Air / Oil Separation Systems, Mist Separation Systems, Vapor Separation Systems 140 first separation tank, first separator tank 142 Cooler 144 Second separator tank 146 Vent 148 First Generation Logistics 150 first liquefaction product stream 154 Heat exchanger 158 Exit 160 fans 162 Motor 164 Controller 166 First Sensor 168 Second Sensor 170 Third Sensor 174 Entrance

Claims

1. a cooler (142) including an inlet (174) directed to receive a mixture of air, oil, and water vapor (136), and an outlet (158) directed to discharge the oil and the water from the cooler (142) in different phases of matter; a first sensor (166) at the outlet (158) of the cooler (142); a controller (164) communicatively coupled to the cooler (142); A steam separation system (138) comprising: receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor (166); Using the cooler (142), based on the temperature feedback, to cool the oil and water mixture (136) to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) in a vaporized state. A vapor separation system (138) configured to:

2. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second separator tank downstream of the cooler for receiving the air-oil-water mixture and condensed liquid from the cooler, the separator tank comprising a vent for releasing vaporized water and air separated from the liquefied oil.

3. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a return tank downstream of the second separator tank for receiving a liquefied product stream discharged from the separator tank.

4. a second sensor (168) configured to monitor the water content of the liquefied product stream (150); and a third sensor (170) configured to monitor the volume of liquid in said return tank (126); and wherein the controller is configured to cool the air, oil, and water mixture based on at least one of water content feedback received from the second sensor, or volumetric feedback or oil-water content feedback received from the third sensor or any additional sensors to indicate a performance of the separation system.

5. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is a variable frequency unit configured to dynamically adjust operation of the cooler to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature.

6. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to selectively start and stop operation of the cooler to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture at the separation temperature.

7. 2. The system (138) of claim 1, wherein the controller (164) is configured to selectively start and stop operation of a mass flow rate, a temperature of a secondary heat extraction fluid in the cooler (142), or add or remove additional heat exchangers to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature.

8. a lubrication system (132); a turbine (110) that draws an air and oil mixture (136) from the turbine (110) bearings at a temperature above the vapor point of water; a steam separation system (138); 1. A gas turbine assembly (100) comprising: a cooler (142) having an inlet (174) directed to receive the air, oil, and water mixture (136) from the lubrication system (132) and an outlet (158) directed to discharge the separated oil and water in two distinct phases of matter; a first sensor (166) at the outlet (158) of the cooler (142); a controller (164) communicatively coupled to the cooler (142); wherein the controller (164) receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor (166); Using the cooler (142), based on the temperature feedback, the air, oil, and water mixture (136) is cooled to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) in a vapor state. A gas turbine assembly (100) configured as follows:

9. 10. The assembly (100) of claim 8, further comprising a water injection system (124) configured to emit water toward a combustion air flowpath of the gas turbine assembly (100), wherein oil from the lubrication system (132) and water from the water injection system (124) form the air, oil, and water mixture (136).

10. 9. The assembly (100) of claim 8, further comprising a separator tank (144) downstream of the cooler (142) for receiving the air, oil, and water mixture (136) discharged from the cooler (142), the separator tank (144) comprising a vent (146) configured to discharge vaporized water separated from the liquefied oil with or without residual liquefied water.

11. 11. The assembly (100) of claim 10, further comprising a return tank (126) downstream of the separator tank (144) for receiving a liquefied product stream (150) discharged from the separator tank (144).

12. a second sensor (168) configured to monitor the water content of the liquefied product stream (150); and a third sensor (170) configured to monitor the volume of liquid in said return tank (126); 12. The assembly (100) of claim 11, further comprising at least one of: a water content feedback received from the second sensor (168) or a volume feedback received from the third sensor (170), and wherein the controller (164) is configured to increase or decrease cooling of the air, oil, and water mixture (136) based on at least one of water content feedback received from the second sensor (168) or volume feedback received from the third sensor (170).

13. 9. The assembly (100) of claim 8, wherein the controller (164) is a variable frequency unit configured to dynamically adjust operation of the cooler (142) to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature.

14. 9. The assembly (100) of claim 8, wherein the controller (164) is configured to selectively start and stop operation of the cooler (142) to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature.

15. directing the air, oil and water mixture (136) towards an inlet (174) of a cooler (142); monitoring the temperature at the outlet (158) of the cooler (142) with a first sensor (166); receiving temperature feedback from the first sensor (166); using the cooler (142) to cool the air, oil, and water mixture (136) based on the temperature feedback to a separation temperature that liquefies at least a portion of the oil in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) while maintaining at least a portion of the water in the air, oil, and water mixture (136) in a vapor state; A vapor separation method comprising:

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein directing the air, oil, and water mixture (136) comprises directing the air, oil, and water mixture (136) containing oil having a specific gravity approximately equal to a specific gravity of water.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising forming the air, oil, and water mixture (136) from oil and water discharged from a gas turbine assembly (100) at an elevated temperature.

18. directing the air, oil and water mixture (136) from the cooler (142) to a separator tank (144); Discharging the vaporized water separated from the liquefied oil from the separator tank (144); 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

19. dynamically adjusting operation of the cooler (142) using a variable frequency unit to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature; selectively starting and stopping operation of the cooler (142) to maintain the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature; selectively varying a number of modular operations of coolers (142) and at least one of a flow rate of the heat extraction fluid or a temperature of the fluid to facilitate maintaining the air, oil, and water mixture (136) at the separation temperature; 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:

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