Gas Turbine Generator Research Articles

Experimental and numerical study on self-sustaining performance of a 30-kW micro gas turbine generator system during startup process

The safe startup of micro gas turbine (MGT) generator system is the premise of normal operation. The whole start-up process contains motor startup, ignition, speed acceleration, motor switching to generator and power acceleration. Motor switching to generator happens at the self-sustaining state, which is significant to safe start-up process. However, characteristics of MGT generator system at self-sustaining state are hardly to investigate due to the lack of performance maps and complete experiments. Therefore, this work analyzed start-up schedule and presented a theoretical and experimental study on the self-sustaining performance of MGT generator system, based on the self-designed 30 kW MGT generator system built in Jiangjin Turbocharger Plant, China. The self-sustaining speed boundary and fuel consumption area is determined from the aspects of safe startup. A novel principle for determining the self-sustaining point (SSP) is proposed. Results show that the self-sustaining state can be achieved only when speed is over 26,750 rpm, and the SSP is determined at the speed of 30,750 rpm based on the proposed principle. Finally, the self-sustaining TIT and natural gas flow are compared with the experimental data, with two relative errors both almost within 4%. This method is instructive to the MGT generator system startup process.

Analysis on the development of micro gas turbine generation technology

Similar to the structure of small aero engines, the existing micro gas turbines generally apply radial impeller machinery and regenerative cycles to improve efficiency. This paper analyzes the development of micro gas turbine generation technology. After making breakthroughs in basic research fields such as combustion, structural materials and coatings, additive manufacturing, thermal management, and comprehensive simulation and verification experiments, the next-generation micro cogeneration system composed of micro gas turbine and renewable energy power generation equipment will effectively obtain stable power output, improve power energy quality, and overcome difficulty in technology, economy, and application scenarios.

High ambient temperature effects on the performance of a gas turbine-based cogeneration system with supplementary fire in a tropical climate

High ambient temperature negatively affects gas turbine performance, especially in a tropical climate. Cogeneration improves fuel utilization by taking advantage of the energy discharged as waste heat in the exhaust gases. This case study assesses the effects of high ambient temperature on the performance of a natural gas-based cogeneration plant in Barranquilla, Colombia, a location with a hot and humid tropical climate throughout the year with an annual average temperature of 27.4 °C. The cogeneration plant encompasses gas and vapor turbine generation, supplementary fire, waste heat recovery, and process heat exchange. Validated ASPENHYSYS® simulation allows comparing gas-turbine-alone indicators with those at ISO conditions, i.e., 15 °C and 101.3 kPa. Ambient temperature reduces gas turbine power output by up to 22% and decreases thermal efficiency by around 0.06% for every °C rise above ISO conditions. Cogeneration with and without supplementary fire increases power output by 17% and 5% compared to gas-turbine-alone operation. The energy utilization factor increases by 27–37% without supplementary fire and above 37% with supplementary fire. Results give insight into the challenges of cogeneration plants in a tropical climate. Further studies should include the effects of high humidity on power plant performance and the potential benefits of cooling inlet air.

On the Flame Shape in a Premixed Swirl Stabilised Burner and its Dependence on the Laminar Flame Speed

Gas turbines for power generation are optimised to run with fossil fuels but as a response to tighter pollutant regulations and to enable the use of renewable fuels there is a great interest in improving fuel flexibility. One interesting renewable fuel is syngas from biomass gasification but its properties vary depending on the feedstock and gasification principle, and are significantly different from conventional fuels. This paper aims to give an overview of the differences in combustion behaviour by comparing numerical solutions with methane and several different synthesis gas compositions. The TECFLAM swirl burner geometry, which is designed to be representative of common gas turbine burners, was selected for comparison. The advantage with this geometry is that detailed experimental measurements with methane are publicly available. A two-stage approach was employed with development and validation of an advanced CFD model against experimental data for methane combustion followed by simulations with four syngas mixtures. The validated model was used to compare the flame shape and other characteristics of the flow between methane, 40% hydrogen enriched methane and four typical syngas compositions. It was found that the syngas cases experience lower swirl intensity due to high axial velocities that weakens the inner recirculation zone. Moreover, the higher laminar flame speed of the syngas cases has a strong effect on the flame front shape by bending it away from the axial direction, by making it shorter and by increasing the curvature of the flame front. A hypothesis that the flame shape and position is primarily governed by the laminar flame speed is supported by the almost identical flame shapes for bark powder syngas and 40% hydrogen enriched methane. These gas mixtures have almost identical laminar flame speeds for the relevant equivalence ratios but the heating value of the syngas is more than a factor of 3 smaller than that of the hydrogen enriched methane. The syngas compositions used are representative of practical gasification processes and biomass feedstocks. The demonstrated strong correlation between laminar flame speed and flame shape could be used as a rule of thumb to quickly judge whether the flame might come in contact with the structure or in other ways be detrimental to the function of the combustion system.

A novel peak load shaving algorithm for isolated microgrid using hybrid PV-BESS system

A novel peak load shaving algorithm has been proposed in this study for peak shaving application in hybrid PV-BESS connected Isolated Microgrid (IMG) system. This algorithm will help an IMG system to operate its generation systems optimally and economically along with PV generation unit. An IMG model has been developed in MATLAB/Simulink environment with actual load data, conventional Gas Turbine Generator (GTG), Photovoltaic (PV) generation system and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The proposed algorithm has been tested with the designed IMG model. To evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm, simulation case studies have been conducted with actual load data and actual PV generation data. The simulation results demonstrate that the algorithm can minimize the limitations of the existing methods and it can use the PV generation system effectively. Peak shaving service can be found from this algorithm as a simple and forcible way. A comparative analysis has been conducted of the proposed algorithm with the conventional methods. The comparison results can easily reflect that the proposed algorithm can ensure the optimal use of PV generation system and can serve peak shaving service effectively. It can also ensure an economic and environment friendly system where the existing algorithms are limited to serve these. The proposed algorithm can mitigate the available power issues for hybrid PV-BESS connected system and it can also minimize the operating cost by dispatching the generation units optimally.

Influence of operating time on the strength reliability of the gas generator turbine disk of the aircraft drive for the GPA

This paper contains the analysis of characteristics changes of mechanical properties of the EI698-VD alloy depending on the duration of operation of the NK family gas turbine disks working as part of a gas generator turbine for GPA. Their stress-strain state was determined using the finite element method. The strength reserves are defined as characteristics of the disks’ strength reliability at different levels of the operating time.

Power quality considerations for embedded generation integration in Nigeria: A case study of ogba 33 kV injection substation

The deregulation of the Nigerian power sector has resulted in the quest to explore power generation options for power quality improvement. One of such options is the pattern shift from central power generation to embedded power generation. Network integration of embedded generators (EGs) causes several regulatory, technical and economic issues. This research focuses on power quality challenges that may arise as a result of network integration of embedded generation in a weak electricity networks using Ogba 33 kV injection substation as case study. The embedded generators considered comprised of gas turbine and diesel generators. NEPLAN software was used to perform the load flow analysis with and without EGs connection on the network. This was necessary so as to ascertain the healthiness of the existing distribution network for EGs integration. The power quality issues considered in the study were bus voltage profiles and the total line losses. Simulation results showed that EGs connection improved the voltage profile, for example, bus voltage at PTC 11 kV, improved from 0.881 pu to 0.958 pu while the total active power loss was reduced by 78.16%. The results obtained suggest that the grid is healthy enough to accommodate the EGs with no quality issues.

Study of offshore wind power penetration rate in gas turbine generator platform power grid

Because of the energy supply of the offshore oil platforms mainly relies on the supply of gas turbine, the development of renewable energy will become a rich energy supply for offshore oil platforms and a reliable way to improve the stability of the grid of the platforms. This paper developed the simulation model of offshore oil gas turbine platform power grid, simulated the hybrid power grid structure, the energy storage of frequency regulation, high wind power penetration rate, wind power and gas turbine power frequency stability and fault treatment. The method of increasing renewable energy penetration rate was proposed, and the hybrid energy coordinated control strategy of offshore oil platform was also carried out. Based on the weakly connected distributed offshore oil platform power grid project, this paper studied the influence of wind power and turbine power penetration rate on the power grid, in order to explore, determine and verify the limit of high wind power penetration rate under the condition of “large generation machine and small grid”. The simulation experiment of high wind power penetration rate under the condition of different load conditions and different wind speed limits were discussed, on the basis of research the influence degree of the stability of power grid frequency of low wind power swings, as well as to the wind power is given priority to with gas turbine mainly in both cases the advantages and disadvantages of the grid system, and attempt to put forward the corresponding switch control strategy.

Acquisition and Processing Considerations for Infrared Images of Rotating Turbine Blades

Abstract As designers aim to increase efficiency in gas turbines for aircraft propulsion and power generation, spatially resolved experimental measurements are needed to validate computational models and compare improvement gains of new cooling designs. Infrared (IR) thermography is one such method for obtaining spatially resolved temperature measurements. As technological advances in thermal detectors enable faster integration times, surface temperature measurements of rotating turbine blades become possible to capture including the smallest features. This paper outlines opportunities enabled by the latest IR detector technologies for capturing spatially resolved rotating blade temperatures, while also addressing some of the challenges of implementing IR for turbine rigs such as the one in the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Laboratory. This paper documents critical steps in achieving accurate measurements including calibration, integration times, spatial noise, and motion blur. From these results, recommendations are provided for achieving accurate IR measurements collected in a rotating turbine facility to study film cooling.

Toughening Mechanism of Thermal Barrier Coatings

Thermal barrier coatings are applied to the protection of metal components in aircraft thrusters, power generation and ship gas turbine engines, which can make the gas turbine run for a long time in a high-temperature environment. The fracture toughness of the coating characterizes the ability of the material to prevent crack propagation and is one of the most important factors to be taken into consideration to prolong the life of the thermal barrier coating. The current research is mainly through dispersion toughening, the phase transformation toughening, whisker toughening, ferroelastic toughening, and other methods to improve the fracture toughness of ceramic coatings. In this paper, the use of different toughening mechanisms and the addition of unique materials to improve the fracture toughness of thermal barrier coatings are introduced, and the future research direction is put forward.

Performance Optimization of Gas Turbine Generator Based on Operating Conditions Using ANN-GA at Saka Indonesia Pangkah Ltd

Performance Optimization of Gas Turbine Generator Based on Operating Conditions Using ANN-GA at Saka Indonesia Pangkah Ltd

Modeling of an isolated microgrid with hybrid PV-BESS system for peak load shaving simulation

In this paper, a simplified model of an isolated microgrid (IMG) with hybrid photovoltaic (PV)-battery energy storage system (BESS) is discussed. The concept of peak load shaving is also demonstrated. The developed model helps an isolated power system to minimize the demand and maximize the economic benefit. MATLAB/Simulink tool was used to simulate the electrical circuit of the IMG system. The IMG model contains four sub-systems, namely the PV model, time varying load profile model, BESS model and gas turbine generator (GTG) dispatch model. To evaluate the performance of the developed IMG, a simulation case study was conducted under realistic load conditions of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). Results indicated that simulation illustrates the precise situation of the real-time system, as found in the UTP microgrid. Results also revealed that the concept of peak load shaving broadly illustrated in this study. The implementation of the proposed IMG model may bring economic benefit by minimizing peak load demand. © 2021 Md Masud Rana et al.

Numerical investigation of non-uniform flow in twin-silo combustors and impact on axial turbine stage performance

A clear understanding of the flow characteristics in the older generation of industrial gas turbines operating with silo combustors is important for potential upgrades. Non-uniformities in the form of circumferential and radial variations in internal flow properties can have a significant impact on the gas turbine stage performance and durability. This paper presents a comprehensive study of the underlying internal flow features involved in the advent of non-uniformities from twin-silo combustors and their propagation through a single axial turbine stage of the Siemens v94.2 industrial gas turbine. Results indicate the formation of strong vortical structures alongside large temperature, pressure, velocity, and flow angle deviations that are mostly located in the top and bottom sections of the turbine stage caused by the excessive flow turning in the upstream tandem silo combustors. A favorable validation of the simulated exhaust gas temperature (EGT) profile is also achieved via comparison with the measured data. A drop in isentropic efficiency and power output equivalent to 2.28% points and 2.1 MW, respectively is observed at baseload compared to an ideal straight hot gas path reference case. Furthermore, the analysis of internal flow topography identifies the underperforming turbine blading due to the upstream non-uniformities. The findings not only have implications for the turbine aerothermodynamic design, but also the combustor layout from a repowering perspective.

Experimental and numerical investigation of jet impingement cooling onto a concave leading edge of a generic gas turbine blade

This study focuses on an experimental and numerical heat transfer investigation of an impingement jet array with a concave target plate that resembles a turbine blade's leading edge. The array consists of nine circular jets with a diameter of Djet and the target plate has a curvature radius of R=Djet. The target plate also features film cooling holes in a staggered configuration so that each jet is surrounded by three film cooling holes. A Reynolds number of 30,000 is tested, while the separation distance H is altered between H/Djet=2.7 and H/Djet=4. In addition the jets are exposed to a crossflow (cf). The experimental heat transfer data are obtained by using the transient Thermochromic Liquid Crystal (TLC) method. In the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study 3D steady state Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations with the software package OpenFOAM and the kω−shear−stress−transport (SST) turbulence model are performed. The numerical results from OpenFOAM agree well with the experimental data and local flow phenomena are captured correctly. The crossflow decreases the stagnation point heat transfer as well as the overall heat transfer but homogenizes the local heat transfer distribution. A smaller separation distance enhances the crossflow effects and generally increases the heat transfer level.

Verification of Rotordynamic Design Using 1/5 Scaled Model Rotor of 270 MW-Class Gas Turbine Center-Tied Rotor

Gas turbine power generation is relatively minor in terms of pollutant emissions, such as nitrogen oxides or sulfur oxides, as compared to thermal power generation using coal or petroleum. This is because of the use of liquefied natural gas, known as an eco-friendly power generation solution. Large gas turbines used for power generation are suitable for the power load demanded by modern society, which fluctuates very much with respect to power consumption because it takes only about 10–20 min to reach the entire output from the start-up. A large gas turbine used for power generation is a rotating machine that features a high degree of difficulty in mechanical design due to its fast start-up characteristics, structural complexity, and high operating temperature, while also emphasizing stability. Customers are demanding operational reliability as a prerequisite before evaluating the performance of a gas turbine. It is very important to design and verify the rotor dynamics sufficiently and accurately from the design stage prior to fabrication in light of that it is very difficult to change the rotor dynamics characteristics once the design is completed and finished. Many researchers are trying to improve the design completeness, but the researches that actually design and verify the power generation gas turbine are limited only to a few manufacturers with the original technology, so there is little verification of actual gas turbine. In this paper, rotor dynamics analysis and verification of a 270 MW class DGT-300H gas turbine rotor newly developed by DHI. To verify the center tie-rod type rotor design of a large gas turbine for power generation, which was conceptually designed using in-house design tools, a 1/5 scaled model was designed by applying the dynamic scaling law. In order to verify the suitability of the applied tie-rod design, the characteristics of the variation of the natural frequency with the variation of the pre-tightening force were tested in order to confirm the dynamic proper pre-tightening force. The design of the scaled model rotor was created, the model was designed and fabricated, and the natural frequencies were analyzed and tested to confirm the validity of the design method and the suitability of the analysis results. After the design of the large gas turbine rotor for 270 MW class power generation, the natural frequencies of the rotor before the blade installation were analyzed and the suitability of the design was verified by implementing a vibration test of the rotor before blade installation.

Cloud Based Monitoring and Diagnosis of Gas Turbine Generator Based on Unsupervised Learning

The large number of gas turbines in large power companies is difficult to manage. A large amount of the data from the generating units is not mined and utilized for fault analysis. This study focuses on F-class (9F.05) gas turbine generators and uses unsupervised learning and cloud computing technologies to analyse the faults for the gas turbines. Remote monitoring of the operational status are conducted. The study proposes a cloud computing service architecture for large gas turbine objects, which uses unsupervised learning models to monitor the operational state of the gas turbine. Faults such as chamber seal failure, load abnormality and temperature anomalies in the gas turbine system can be identified by using the method, which has an accuracy of 60%–80%.

Surface alloying of FeCoCrNiMn particles on Inconel-718 using plasma-transferred arc technique: microstructure and wear characteristics.

Inconel-718 (IN-718) is a commonly used nickel-based superalloy in various fields, such as gas turbine and power generation applications. However, the lower wear and oxidation resistance hinder their wide usage. In this work, FeCoCrNiMn particles were mechanically ball-milled and preplaced on the IN-718 substrate. Then, the preplaced FeCoCrNiMn particles were scanned by heat source using plasma-transferred arc (PTA) technique. The effect of PTA alloying on the phase changes, microstructure, nanohardness and wear resistance has been investigated. The result showed that the PTA region contained different phases, such as FCC, BCC and intermetallic. No cracks were observed in the PTA alloyed region. Moreover, the porous free structure was viewed in the alloyed region, which revealed that the PTA alloying process was effectively used to perform the alloying process. More hard phases, such as NiFe, CoMn, Cr9Mn25Ni21, MnNi, FeCo, FeMn and MnCo, were formed on the PTA-alloyed region. The obtained wear rate of the substrate specimen at 30 N applied load is 2.45 × 10−3 mm3 m−1 and 1.79 × 10−3 mm3 m−1 for the PTA specimen. Similarly, the wear rate of the substrate specimen at 50 N is 5.38 × 10−3 mm3 m−1 and for the PTA sample, it is 2.29 × 10−3 mm3 m−1. The PTA specimen showed lower CoF than the substrate specimen due to increased surface hardness and minimum deformation of asperities. The primary wear type was mildly abrasive, accompanied by slight oxidative wear. Oxygen reacted with the surface alloying elements and formed different oxides, such as CoO, Cr2O3, MnO2, Mn2O3, Mn3O4, FeO and Fe2O3. These dense oxidation films covered the working surface and enhanced the wear resistance. The worn-out PTA surface showed that the wear scar depths were shallow and lower than the substrate, and reduced the roughness.

Effective energy storage power control to extend the acceptable range of generator frequency in distributed generation

Gas-turbine and gas-piston generator sets (GS) are widely used at distributed generation (DG) facilities. International GS manufacturers configure relay protections (RP) in a way that narrows the acceptable range (AR) and causes properly functioning RPs to effect unnecessary disconnections. It has been shown that the worst disturbances are observed when a microgrid that carries a DG facility is islanded, and power imbalance occurs; when motors start in groups; when the GS’s shed 95% of their output; and when a 3-phase short-circuit occurs in an islanded grid segment. Energy storage units (ESU) are the most recent and highly successful solution to many problems of power engineering. The authors hereof have developed a method that controls active and reactive power of an ESU independently to avoid unnecessary GS disconnections that would otherwise be caused by a short-term deviation in frequency; this will help reliably deliver electricity to the users of an islanded microgrid. Simulation results show that the use of ESUs helps to effectively extend the acceptable range for generator sets. There are recommendations on drawing technical requirements to ES. An important advantage of the proposed ESU power control method is that it does not need to adjust ES-received control actions (CA) online for frequency deviation.

A failure analysis of a generator unit shutdown due to short circuit of generator positive and negative collector rings

Taking the short circuit faults of the positive and negative collector rings of a 40MW gas turbine generator as an example, the failure process of the generator's positive and negative collector rings is analyzed, the process of failure occurrence is explained, and the cause of the failure is analysed, the main reason for the failure is that the air inlet filter of the collector ring chamber of the generator is damaged and falls off, and the broken and dropped filter screen enters the collector ring chamber with the wind, which causes a short circuit of the positive and negative collector ring. Finally, the corresponding treatment and preventive measures are formulated.

Novel energy station by natural fluid CO 2

Novel energy station by natural fluid <scp> CO ₂ </scp>