Abstract
International policies aiming at keeping global warming within safety limits will strongly impact gas-fired power plants. Flexibility is going to be the key-word, hence this paper focuses on possible strategies to increase turndown capability (i.e. lowering Minimum Environmental Load (MEL)) of open and combined cycle power plants (CCPP) through retrofittable compressor service packages. In particular, the following three options have been analyzed: extra-closure of Variable Inlet Guide Vanes (IGVs), Blow-Off (BO) lines opening and inlet bleed heating. All these solutions aim at reducing the compressor outlet mass-flow rate while keeping a safe stability margin. The effect of lowering the minimum load capability by opening the BO lines has been numerically investigated through full compressor 2D throughflow analyses. Moreover, the impact on compressor performance and stability of the extra-closure of IGVs has been analyzed with the support of 3D steady-state CFD modelling. Finally, the overall performance of the power-plant has been included and discussed in order to provide plant managers with a solid starting point for a techno-economic analysis.
Highlights
Nowadays, the energy market is facing a revolution driven by the continuous development of Renewable Energy Solutions (RES)
The Gas Turbine (GT) and cycle power plants (CCPP) performance have been verified by a calibrated 0D model in which the effects of BO, Inlet Guide Vanes (IGVs) XC and AI have been included
The results with maximum BO extraction are of chief interest, but lower levels are necessary to thoroughly map the relation between diffusion factor (DF) and increased mass-flow extracted from BO valves
Summary
The energy market is facing a revolution driven by the continuous development of Renewable Energy Solutions (RES). Even though RES are expected to have a rapid expansion in the decades, gas-fired power plants will keep a key role within the energy sector by supporting the grid stability and peak demand [1]. This new scenario, along with the restrictive environmental regulations imposed by several countries, requires conventional power plants to be more flexible, reliable and resilient. It consists of recirculating a small amount of hot air from the compressor outlet to the inlet in order to increase compressor inlet temperature [2]. The Gas Turbine (GT) and CCPP performance have been verified by a calibrated 0D model in which the effects of BO, IGV XC and AI have been included
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