TurboPHASE Supplemental Compressor for Gas Turbine Turn-Down
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbines face significant challenges in efficiently managing peak and low energy demand due to cycling penalties, limited turn-down capability, and inefficiencies related to compressor bleeding and combustion systems, leading to high maintenance costs and reduced power output, especially with the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.
Innovation Solution
The TurboPHASE system employs a supplemental compressor driven by a fueled engine or steam from a combined cycle power plant, allowing for increased turn-down capability and power output by injecting compressed air into the gas turbine system, which is stored or generated using an intercooled compression process, and can be coupled with an air storage system and motor-generator for rapid power adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas turbines are cycled up during high demand and down during low demand, then power demand is met, but maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the air supply function into two independent sources: the gas turbine compressor and the supplemental compressor. This allows the gas turbine to operate continuously at optimal conditions while the supplemental compressor handles load variations, eliminating cycling penalties and reducing maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental compressor acts as an intermediary device that decouples the gas turbine from direct load following. By introducing externally compressed air during peak demand, the system meets power requirements without forcing the gas turbine to cycle, thereby preserving its reliability and reducing maintenance frequency.
2Power
If inlet guide vanes are closed to reduce air flow and fuel flow, then power output is reduced, but turn-down capability is limited to approximately 50%
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing air flow to the gas turbine to achieve load reduction, the system injects additional compressed air from the supplemental compressor into the combustion case. This inverse approach allows the gas turbine to maintain optimal air flow while still reducing net power output by controlling the amount of supplemental air injected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by introducing a separate air supply source with independent pressure and flow control. This allows continuous adjustment of power output from 100% down to near-zero levels by varying the supplemental air injection rate, overcoming the 50% turn-down limitation of conventional systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If warm air is introduced to the inlet to prevent icing or enable lower air flow operation, then turn-down capability is improved, but compressor efficiency is reduced due to work sacrifice
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the air compression function from the gas turbine compressor and transfers it to a separate supplemental compressor. The supplemental compressor delivers air directly to the combustion case, bypassing the need to warm inlet air or sacrifice compressor work, thereby maintaining gas turbine efficiency while achieving enhanced turn-down capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplemental compressor serves as an intermediary that supplies additional air without requiring modifications to the gas turbine compressor operation. This separate air source enables load reduction without compromising the efficiency of the primary compression system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If compressor air is bled off to improve turn-down capability, then lower operating limit is achieved, but total power output is reduced due to work loss
Solution Approach 1:
The supplemental compressor acts as an external intermediary that supplies additional air without requiring air to be bled from the gas turbine compressor. This eliminates the direct trade-off between turn-down capability and power output, as the supplemental air comes from an independent source that does not compromise the primary power generation process.
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
This approach enhances the turn-down capability by 25-30% and increases power output by up to 20% while maintaining efficiency and reducing maintenance costs, enabling faster response to load changes and improved grid stability.
Implementation Method 1
a supplemental compressor delivers compressed air to a combustion case of the gas turbine system
Implementation Method 2
compressed air generated using an intercooled compression process
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in power augmentation and engine operation include additional heated compressed air injection from a power augmentation system and a motor-generator in selective operation with the power augmentation system.