Part-load performance analysis of a dual-recuperated gas turbine combined cycle system

Abstract

To undertake peak shaving tasks, gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) units often deviate from the design operating point. In order to improve the off-design performance of GTCCs, a dual-recuperated gas turbine combined cycle (DRGTCC) system based on partial recuperation and compressor inlet air heating is proposed in this paper. The operating characteristics of the novel system using the proposed operation strategy are investigated, and the effects of pressure drop in recuperators and ambient temperature on system performance are discussed. The results indicate that, compared with the GTCC system, the DRGTCC system has higher turbine inlet temperature (TIT) and turbine expansion ratio at the same power output, and the performance has been improved especially at lower power outputs. When the inlet temperature of the compressor is increased from 0 °C to 45 °C, the air mass flowrate can be regulated between 46.0% and 100% of the design value. The combined cycle efficiency of the DRGTCC system is improved by 2.55 percentage points at 45.5% design combined cycle load. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis shows that the system performance decreases with the increase of the pressure drop in recuperators, and the ambient temperature affects the load regulation range and efficiency.