Gas Turbine Suction Heating With Turbine Inlet Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas turbine systems face challenges in improving operation efficiency while maintaining turbine inlet temperature within allowable limits to avoid damage, as previous configurations do not provide a specific method for optimizing efficiency under such restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A suction heating system that uses a heat source different from compressed air to heat outside air for the compressor, controlled by a control device based on correlation parameters or estimated values of the turbine inlet temperature to maintain the inlet temperature within safe limits, incorporating a first and second heating unit to optimize efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If compressed air is used as heat source to heat outside air, then outside air temperature increases, but combustion gas flow rate decreases and turbine inlet temperature control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device between the compressed air heat source and the outside air stream. This mediator transfers thermal energy without direct mixing of the air streams, allowing temperature increase of outside air while preserving the combustion gas flow rate by not diverting compressed air from the combustion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing approach (directly mixing compressed air with outside air) with a thermal field approach (using heat exchange). This substitution allows thermal energy transfer without mass transfer, solving the contradiction between heating outside air and maintaining combustion gas flow rate.
2Productivity
If turbine inlet temperature is increased to improve operation efficiency, then operation efficiency improves, but turbine damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the turbine inlet temperature and adjusts the heating control accordingly. The control device receives temperature information and modulates the heat exchanger operation to maintain turbine inlet temperature within the safe range, enabling efficient operation while preventing turbine damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the heat exchanger to preheat outside air before it enters the combustion chamber, cushioning the thermal load on the turbine. This advance heating allows the system to operate at optimal efficiency temperatures without exceeding turbine safety limits, as the temperature increase is controlled and gradual rather than sudden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances gas turbine operation efficiency by preventing inlet temperature exceedance and minimizing combustion gas flow reduction, thereby improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a suction heating unit configured to heat the outside air using a heat source different from compressed air discharged from the compressor
Implementation Method 2
a control device configured to control the suction heating unit based on a correlation parameter correlated with a turbine inlet temperature of the gas turbine or on an estimated value of the turbine inlet temperature
Data Source
AI summary
This suction heating system is configured to heat outside air fed to a compressor of a gas turbine. The suction heating system is provided with a suction heating unit configured to heat outside air using a heat source different from that of compressed air discharged from the compressor; and a control device configured to control the suction heating unit on the basis of a correlation parameter correlated with a turbine inlet temperature of the gas turbine or an estimated value of a turbine inlet temperature.