 |
Air Injection Technology
AIR INJECTION
Gas Turbine Power Augmentation
Additional megawatt-hours (MWH) with coincidental efficiency improvement and emission reductions can be obtained at low cost during peak demand periods from gas turbines and combined cycle power plants by injecting externally compressed, humidified, and heated air into a combustion turbine up-stream of the combustors. This novel approach is denoted in general as AI (Air Injection) Technology and specifically as HAI (for the Humid Air Injection) and DAI (for the Dry Air Injection). The AI technology has been installed and validated (by Calpine Corporation-a licensee for the Technology) on the GE 7241 (FA) Combustion Turbine. It results in a significant power augmentation and improved heat rate over the whole range of ambient temperatures, but it is the most effective at high ambient temperature conditions when the reduction in normal unit output is most severe (see List of Publications 1-11). It is relatively simple in its application for retrofits of existing and new Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Plants. For sites with a shortage of water resources the Dry Air Injection technology could be the power augmentation technology of choice.
GE7FA Performance at Various Inlet Temperatures with and without Humid Air Injection
Gas turbine power normally falls off at high ambient temperatures because the air mass flow is reduced. Auxiliary compressor makes up for lack of air from main compressor at high ambient temperatures. With humid air injection, the gas turbine power and heat rate are improved at all compressor inlet temperatures above 30 F.
GE7FA Performance at 95 F Inlet Temperature
Off-The-Shelf Technology
- Most gas turbines already have injection port at compressor discharge, this port can be used for air injection.
- Auxiliary compressor is standard offering from Cooper Turbocompressor or Ingersoll Rand.
- Once-Through-Partial-Steam-Generator has been installed at over 1200 sites by Struthers-Wells.
- High blowdown (20%) from separator allows use of softened water; no need for demineralized water.
- Calpine Corp. tested humid air injection on GE7FA engine at the Broad River plant in North Carolina. Only three months were required from contract signing to the performance of the tests. Test results confirm predicted power augmentation and heat rate improvement.
The Following patents protect the Air Injection Power Augmentation technology:
Method of Operating a Combustion Turbine Power Plant at Full Power having Compressed Air Storage
US Patent # 5,934,063
Method of Operating a Combustion Turbine Power Plant at Full Power at High Ambient Temperature or at Low Air Density Using Supplemental Compressed Air
US Patent # 6,134,873
Combustion turbine power plant operable at full power using supplemental compressed air
US Patent # 6,305,158
Method of operating of a combustion turbine using supplemental compressed air
US Patent # 6,244,037
Method of operating a combustion turbine power plant using supplemental compressed air
US Patent # 6,038,849
Click here to Download a pdf file Containing a PowerPoint Presentation Summarizing the AI Technology
Overall Presentation on Air Injection Technology
| Back to Top |
|
Contact: |
Telephone: |
Fax: |
E-Mail: |