Turbomachinery Plant Antisurge Circuit for Compressor Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing turbomachinery plants face challenges in maximizing power generation by electrical reversible machines while minimizing the power absorbed by compressors, particularly in mechanical drive gas turbine systems.
Innovation Solution
The turbomachinery plant incorporates a variable frequency drive electric unit, an antisurge circuit, and a gas depressurizing compressor, controlled by a central unit to minimize compressor power absorption and maximize electrical reversible machine power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the electrical reversible machine operates as a generator to maximize power generation, then the resistant torque of the electrical reversible machine is increased automatically by the VFD control panel, but the speed of the compressor decreases to a minimum value which still absorbs significant power (about 10% of nominal power)
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas flow path into separate circuits: a main circuit through the compressor and an antisurge circuit with a bypass line. The antisurge valve can redirect gas flow away from the compressor when needed, effectively segmenting the flow to reduce compressor workload during certain operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The antisurge circuit acts as an intermediary pathway between the suction unit and collection unit, providing an alternative route for gas flow. This intermediary circuit allows the system to bypass the compressor when high power generation is required, reducing the power absorbed by the compressor while maintaining adequate gas flow.
2Productivity
If the speed of the compressor is decreased to minimize power absorption, then the power generated by the electrical reversible machine increases, but the compressor still absorbs significant power (substantially equal to 10% of nominal power)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes gas flow from the main compressor circuit by opening the antisurge valve, which redirects gas through the bypass line to the collection unit. This extraction of flow from the compressor path significantly reduces the power absorbed by the compressor, transforming it from absorbing 10% of nominal power to minimal power absorption.
3Power
If the power supplied by the gas turbine is equal to the sum of power absorbed by compressor and power generated by electrical reversible machine, then the greater the power absorbed by compressor, the lower the power generated by electrical reversible machine
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control through the antisurge valve and VFD control panel, allowing real-time adjustment of gas flow distribution and compressor speed. The antisurge valve can dynamically redirect flow based on operating conditions, while the VFD control panel adjusts the electrical reversible machine's torque to optimize power generation while minimizing compressor power absorption.
Data Source
AI summary
A turbomachinery plant is conceived to maximize the power generated by an electrical reversible machine when works as a generator, by reducing the power absorbed by a compressor connected to the electrical reversible machine. The compressor is connected to an antisurge circuit included in the turbomachinery plant, as well as to a suction unit by a first line and to a gas collection unit by a second line and the turbomachinery plant comprises a gas depressurizing compressor so that, when in use, an amount of gas sucked by the gas depressurizing compressor moves from the antisurge circuit to the gas depressurizing compressor and the compressor rotates encountering less resistance and absorbing less power and the power generated by the electrical reversible machine is maximized.