Gas Turbine Prime Mover Research Articles

A Conceptual Design and Analysis of a Novel Trigeneration System Consisting of a Gas Turbine Power Cycle with Intercooling, Ammonia–Water Absorption Refrigeration, and Hot Water Production

In this study, the performance of a novel trigeneration system with a gas turbine prime mover, an ammonia–water refrigeration system, and a hot water generation system is investigated from thermodynamic and economic standpoints. The effects of various operating conditions on energy efficiency and the levelized cost of energy are investigated. The proposed system has a production capacity of 45.4 kW power, 14.07 kW cooling rate, and 16.32 kW heat rate. The efficiency of the gas turbine cycle is 49.7%, and it becomes 83.0% after the implementation of the trigeneration system. Through combined heating, cooling, and power generation, primary energy input and the CO2 emissions will be 49% lower compared to separate production. According to the exergy analysis, the combustion chamber is the main component where the greatest exergy destruction occurs. Sensitivity analysis revealed that an increase in the ambient temperature results in a decrease in the energy utilization factor and the net power output. The LCOE of the system is around 0.02 $/kWh, whereas the unit price of the local electricity from the grid is 0.09 $/kWh. The payback period of the absorption sub-cycle is between 4 months and 4 years, depending on the annual operation time of the chiller.

A comprehensive approach for tri-objective optimization of a novel advanced energy system with gas turbine prime mover, ejector cooling system and multi-effect desalination

This research presents an innovative approach for optimization based on a Genetic Algorithm optimization method. The system is configured by the integration of a gas turbine cycle, a dual-pressure heat recovery steam generator, a multi-effect desalination unit, a refrigeration organic Rankine cycle with an ejector, and a proton-exchange membrane electrolyzer. The proposed system is optimized utilizing five single- and multi-objective methods and investigating each objective's effect on the optimum range of the decision variables. As a result of these optimization five best points are extracted. The base condition, and these five best points are identified as six conditions, and the performance and reliability of the optimization results are investigated in a comparative parametric study. The single-objective optimizations results show that the maximum possible exergy efficiency and freshwater production rate are 72% and 1354 m3/day, respectively, and the lowest possible total cost rate is 611 $/h. However, tri-objective optimization demonstrates for these parameters that the best point has efficiency, cost, and freshwater production rate values of 69%, 791 $/h, and 1063 m3/day, respectively. The comparative parametric study shows that the tri-objective optimization result (Condition 5) is favorable in terms of objectives and reliability.

Thermo-economic-environmental analysis of a new tri-generation seasonal system with gas turbine prime mover based on municipal solid waste gasification

To protect environment, proper use of municipal solid waste (MSW) is necessary and it needs to introduce new seasonal tri-generation systems to produce power, cooling, and heating with gas turbine prime mover. The fuel is supplied by gasification of MSW. Here, to improve the gasification process, the dryer and preheater of the gasification agent are used, so that all their required energies are supplied from inside the system. The design and validation of tri-generation systems have been done for three different ambient conditions, such as: the coldest day of the year, the cold seasons and the warm seasons of the year. For the coldest day of the year with Gas Turbine Based System (GTBS), the Energy Utilization Factor (EUF) and exergy efficiency are 47.62% and 20.42%, respectively. In addition, the lowest total cost rate is related to GTBS in the cold season as 106.8 $/h. From thermo-environmental view point, the GTBS prevents the release of 9233 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, annually. Also in the current work, a parametric study has been performed to find the effects of important decision parameters such as the temperature of the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber and the temperature of the gasifier on different evaluation parameters. The parametric study shows that by increasing the gasifier temperature and inlet gas temperature of GT, the EUF increases and the exergy efficiency and cost rate of the whole system decrease.

Optimization of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system with a gas turbine prime mover: A case study in the dairy industry

A proposed system consists of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system driven by a gas turbine prime mover and an auxiliary boiler (CCHP-Boiler) system in a dairy factory. The CCHP-Boiler system optimized based on three different objective functions. In the 1st method, the system is considered as the combined CCHP-Boiler system. However, in the 2nd and 3rd methods, the optimization process has been carried out to the combined CCHP-Boiler system which has power transfer with the central power plant (CPP). The first objective function in the 1st method is the exergy efficiency of the CCHP-Boiler system. The second objective function is the annual total cost of the CCHP-Boiler system. In the 2nd and 3rd methods, the comprehensive objective function (CO), is the single-objective function. The results indicate that the base design requires a higher pressure ratio of air compressor (RP), which is equal to 14.79, and consequently, the existence of APH and LPG2 is recommended. But, optimization with all the methods for the CCHP-Boiler system leads to low RP values, which is approximately equal to 6. Meanwhile, it can be concluded that the existence of air pre-heater (APH) is not necessary and it should be removed.

Gas turbine prime movers fuelled by LNG as a future alternative for sustainable power in marine propulsion: current emission policy assessment and exhaust quality evaluation

In recent years, climate change has dramatically shown its effects in terms of fluctuations of temperatures because of increased global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions. Pollution control is strongly linked to atmospheric acidification and contaminants in combustion exhausts. In such a contest, marine propulsion is actually a key player that is accounting for a substantial contribution to pollution. Kyoto protocol’s obligations established decarbonisation as a compulsory commitment and contaminant constraints are defined by current emission policy and regulations both on a global and on a regional basis. In this paper, a study is carried out in order to develop a framework for current emission policy and assessment of exhausts due to constraints imposed on fuel choice. Gas fuelled marine propulsion, implemented through state-of-the-art GT areoderivative prime movers, powered by LNG, is analysed from the environmental point of view. The pollutant emissions from various size GT models are evaluated through both GT datasheets and commercial (as well as self-coded) software, in order to assess the validity of LNG as an alternative fuel option for future sustainable marine applications.

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND THERMODYNAMIC MODELING OF A POLY GENERATION SYSTEM BY INTEGRATING A MULTI-EFFECT-DESALINATION THERMO-VAPOR COMPRESSION (MED-TVC) SYSTEM WITH A COMBINED COOLING, HEATING AND POWER (CCHP) SYSTEM

In the present study, performance analysis of a multi effect distillation with thermos vapor compressor (MED-TVC) desalination system coupled to a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system with gas turbine prime mover has been carried out to cogeneration of cooling, heating, power and potable water. The system incorporates air compressor, combustion chamber, gas turbine, triple pressure heat recovery system generator (HRSG), absorption chiller and MED-TVC. A thermodynamic modeling based on mass and energy balance equations is applied for each component of the integrated system. The engineering equation solver (EES) software was used for modeling. It is found that the efficiency of the integrated system reached to 84% (the efficiency of the gas turbine cycle was 32%). Furthermore, a parametric study has been presented in order to investigate the effects of the operational parameters on the performance of the integrated system.

Thermoeconomic analysis of an integrated multi-effect desalination thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) system with a trigeneration system using triple-pressure HRSG

In this research, thermoeconomic analysis of a multi-effect desalination thermal vapor compression (MED-TVC) system integrated with a trigeneration system with a gas turbine prime mover is carried out. The integrated system comprises of a compressor, a combustion chamber, a gas turbine, a triple-pressure (low, medium and high pressures) heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) system, an absorption chiller cycle (ACC), and a multi-effect desalination (MED) system. Low pressure steam produced in the HRSG is used to drive absorption chiller cycle, medium pressure is used in desalination system and high pressure superheated steam is used for heating purposes. For thermodynamic and thermoeconomic analysis of the proposed integrated system, Engineering Equation Solver (EES) is used by employing mass, energy, exergy, and cost balance equations for each component of system. The results of the modeling showed that with the new design, the exergy efficiency in the base design will increase to 57.5%. In addition, thermoeconomic analysis revealed that the net power, heating, fresh water and cooling have the highest production cost, respectively.

Model based evaluation of six energy integration schemes applied to a small-scale gasification process for power generation

This work considers the use of spent poultry litter as a fuel for on-site power generation. On-site use eliminates the need for the transportation of biomass to centralised plants and the associated bio-security issues. This work utilised process simulation to investigate six process integration schemes applied to a small scale gasification unit with a gas turbine prime mover. The model was used to evaluate schemes involving atmospheric gasification, pressurised gasification and recuperation of energy from the gas turbine exhaust gases. The recuperation of residual heat to preheat air and produced gases was performed with the aim of achieving the highest electrical efficiency. The cold gasification and exergy efficiencies were in the ranges of 58.4–79.5% and 46.8–65.7%, respectively, which mainly increased with increasing ER and then after achieving the maximum value declined. The preferred configuration of the proposed 200-kW process achieved electrical efficiencies between 26% and 33.5%.

Energy, exergy and thermoeconomic analysis of a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system with gas turbine prime mover

In this paper energy, exergy and thermoeconomic analysis of a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system has been performed. Applying the first and second laws of thermodynamics and economic analysis, simultaneously, has made a powerful tool for the analysis of energy systems such as CCHP systems. The system integrates air compressor, combustion chamber, gas turbine, dual pressure heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and absorption chiller to produce cooling, heating and power. In fact, the first and second laws of thermodynamics are combined with thermoeconomic approaches. Next, computational analysis is performed to investigate the effects of below items on the fuel consumption, values of cooling, heating and net power output, the first and second laws efficiencies, exergy destruction in each of the components and total cost of the system. These items include the following: air compressor pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature, pinch temperatures in dual pressure HRSG, pressure of steam that enters the generator of absorption chiller and process steam pressure. Decision makers may find the methodology explained in this paper very useful for comparison and selection of CCHP systems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The Mechanics of Flight

This article illustrates contribution of mechanical engineering in the aviation industry. The most obvious role of the mechanical engineer involves the design of engines. From the Wrights’ four cylinders, 12-horsepower engine, aircraft propulsion has evolved into today’s high-bypass turbofans developing over 90,000 pounds of thrust in some instances. The most visible contribution of mechanical engineers to aviation, engines are far from their only contribution. Changes in the design, construction, and capabilities of increasingly modern aircraft challenged the mechanical engineering in many other regards. The introduction of gas-turbine power required a concurrent revolution in manufacturing, test, and maintenance facilities and techniques at the engine builders. As advancements in aircraft construction and power opened the door to higher and faster flight, virtually every system within the airplane had to become more sophisticated, and new ones had to be devised. Air conditioning systems also changed, both to better suit the gas turbine prime mover and to accommodate wider external temperature extremes.

Evaluation and Application of Data Sources for Assessing Operating Costs for Mechanical Drive Gas Turbines in Pipeline Service

This paper evaluates and demonstrates how the public domain data provided by individual interstate pipeline companies to FERC, when combined with individual company equipment lists, can be used to regress industry information on cost of operations and maintenance, fuel gas used, and cost of fuel and power. The paper describes the methods of analysis and identifies their limitations. The paper presents results of such regression analysis as average and variance of cost and fuel usage for industrial gas turbines and aeroderivative gas turbines. It provides further comparisons between gas turbine prime movers, reciprocating engine prime movers, and electric motor drives, and presents annual costs per installed horsepower as a function of turbine size. The paper is based on work performed for PRC International and the Gas Research Institute. [S0742-4795(00)01003-6]

A Small Scale Biomass Fueled Gas Turbine Engine

A new generation of small scale (less than 20 MWe) biomass fueled, power plants are being developed based on a gas turbine (Brayton cycle) prime mover. These power plants are expected to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of generating power from fuels such as wood. The new power plants are also expected to economically utilize annual plant growth materials (such as rice hulls, cotton gin trash, nut shells, and various straws, grasses, and animal manures) that are not normally considered as fuel for power plants. This paper summarizes the new power generation concept with emphasis on the engineering challenges presented by the gas turbine component.

Development of a Diesel-Powered, Heavy Lift, Amphibious Air Cushion Lighter System for the U.S. Army

In order to provide additional over-the-shore logistics for U.S. troops, the U.S. Army recently solicited a proposal for the design and construction of a new Lighter Amphibious-Heavy (LAMP-H) vehicle. The vehicle had to be capable of carrying 100 short tons of deck cargo at 10 knots and be fully amphibious. Kvaerner Masa Marine (KMM) was retained by Bollinger Machine Shop & Shipyard in Lockport, Louisiana, to develop a new concept in military heavy-lift, amphibious vehicles, based on earlier work on diesel-powered air cushion vehicles. Existing air cushion military transport vehicles, such as the U.S. Army LACV-30 and the U.S. Navy L-CAC, represent what may be best described as "low technology aircraft" with lightweight, aluminum structures and gas turbine prime movers. The Kvaerner/Bollinger approach has been to develop a "high technology marine craft" with combination steel/aluminum structure and diesel engines. The project evolved through concept design and model testing into a contract design package from which a shipyard bid proposal was developed. The resultant design gives an innovative solution to the over-the-shore logistics problem.

INTEGRATION OF MODERN MACHINERY SYSTEMS

AbstractWith the advent of gas turbine prime movers for both propulsion and electric power generation, new methods of optimizing thermal efficiency are needed if weight and cost limits are to be achieved by new ship designs without sacrificing operational capability. The balance of primary power generation from fuel and secondary power generation utilizing other energy media must be reviewed. Where once the basic shipboard energy conversion was Bunker C fuel into steam within a large boiler, using steam as the energy medium for all power and heating use, we now have machinery systems that convert fuel into energy at several subsystem levels, i.e. propulsion, electric power, auxiliary steam and so forth. The design challenge for today's machinery system engineer is to optimize thermal recovery from fuel much the same as economizers, etc. that were used in previous steam plant designs. This can be done by making one system dependent upon another for its source of energy. However the design constraint demanded by NAVY combatant ships is that operational flexibility, vulnerability protection and reliability/maintainability/availability goals for each dependent system must be maintained should the primary energy source system fail.This paper presents an engineering approach to generating and evaluating alternative machinery designs within the structure of a set of ship design criteria categories. These categories are defined and examples of machinery system design objectives given. A design process is then proposed which includes determination of energy requirements, identification of alternate energy generation/conversion hardware and verification of adequate energy supply under all operating modes. Discussion is given to the importance of selecting the proper energy medium (fuel, electricity, steam, etc.) for each functional service if energy generation and energy absorption are to be efficiently matched. An evaluation approach is then presented which compares total performance of candidate designs on a system‐level basis.Finally, the paper describes two recent ship designs where integration of machinery systems has taken place: the Canadian DDH‐280 Class Destroyer and the U.S. Navy DD‐963 Class Destroyer. Elements in the “trade‐off” studies for these ships are reviewed and design advantages discussed.

Off-highway vehicles

Industrial, agricultural, and military vehicles are classified as "off-highway vehicles"; the class includes tractors, ore trucks, scrapers, and military tanks. These vehicles have prime movers in the 100-to-1000- and-higher horsepower range, generally have top speeds up to 35 mi/h, and operate from low speed at the traction limit to maximum speed over a wide constant-horsepower range. To date, diesel enghtes with gear-shift and torque-converter transmissions have been used. Now, however, the gas turbine has become attractive because of its low weight and bulk per horsepower, particularly for those vehicles whose performance can be raised with higher power. An electric drive system is well suited to a gas turbine prime mover as a means for utilizing the high turbine speed, for handling the large horsepower, and for distributing power to many wheels. On some special heavy vehicles, dc drive systems, patterned after diesel-electric locomotives, are used. Several ac systems using solid-state converters and induction wheel motors have been built experimentally for military vehicles. When all factors are considered, it appears that the combination of the gas turbine and an ac electric drive will become the heavy off-highway vehicle drive system of the future.

Marine

This is a progress report on the marine gas turbine and free-piston gas turbine during the 5-yr period, 1953–1957. Since the merchant and naval services encompass many similar operating conditions—in spite of many differing requirements—the entire marine field will be reviewed in a single paper. In the first report [18], separate papers appeared on marine, merchant, and naval applications. Open and closed-cycle gas-turbine, nuclear gas-turbine, and free-piston gas-turbine prime movers will be discussed along the following lines: Applications, operating experience, development, advantages, disadvantages, economics, and the future potential in the marine field.

Speed control of large wind tunnels

The paper describes an electronic speed control which has been installed for the composite drive of the 8 ft high-speed wind tunnel at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Bedford. A description of the requirements of a wind-tunnel speed control is given, and several methods of control are discussed. The selected control system, which is discussed in detail, although of the conventional closed-loop technique, has special problems when gas-turbine prime movers power part of the composite drive. A full description of these special features is given, together with a mathematical analysis of the closed-loop system.

Gas Turbines for Missile Ground Support

HANDLING, testing, and launching of guided missiles require a multitude of services which are external to the missile proper. Specific requirements for such ground support equipment are dictated by the operational concept of the missile system and the detail design of the missile. In general, hydraulic, electric, mechanical, and pneumatic power are needed at the site of operation for erecting and aligning, fueling, calibration, checkout, and launching. The proper selection of the prime movers for such services is of great importance, considering the safety, reliability, quality, and control requirements. In addition, depending on the operational concepts, emphasis may be placed on such items as versatility, transportability, self-sufficiency, and logistics. Considering these, the advantage of using gas turbine prime movers is definitely indicated. The lightweight, compact engines are capable of using a wide variety of fuels and are easy to integrate with the driven components, such as pumps, compressors, and generators. Solar Aircraft Company has designed and is manufacturing a variety of gas turbine driven power units for diverse applications. Solar combines them in complete packages for ground, shipboard, and airborne electric generator sets, space heaters, smoke generators, air bleed power supplies, and pumps. The present production units use as the prime movers the 50-hp Mars and the 500-hp Jupiter engines. The Mars engine weighs approximately 100 lb, which includes the gearbox and the accessories, and its dimensions are 23 in. in height, 17 in. in width, and 23 in. in length. I t develops 50 bhp at a speed of 40,000 rpm, or 42 ppm bleed air with a bleed air pressure of 18.3 psig. Air mass flow, pressure ratio, and fuel consumption are 2.7 pps, 2.5:1, and 2.2 lb/bhp X hr, respectively. The Jupiter engine weighs approximately 990 lb, including gearbox and accessories; its dimensions are 42 in. by 32 in. by 91 in. I t develops up to 520 bhp at 20,000 rpm, or 150 ppm bleed air with a pressure of 45 psig. Air mass flow, pressure ratio, and fuel consumption are 9 pps, 4.6:1, and 0.92 lb/bhp X hr, respectively. Both engines are designed for operation over a temperature range from — 65 F to + 130 F. They operate on all commonly used fuels, such as gasoline, jet engine fuel, diesel fuel, and kerosene. Complete protection against overspeed, overtemperature, and loss of oil pressure is provided. Construction of both engines is simple and compact. The Mars engine employs a single-stage centrifugal compressor, single elbow combustor, and a singlestage radial inflow turbine. Turbine and compressor are mounted back-to-back on the same shaft. The Jupiter engine employs a ten-stage axial compressor, single combustor, and a three-stage axial turbine. For constant speed application, the three stages are coupled together, whereas for variable speed application the third stage of the turbine is not connected to the gas producer section but mounted on a separate power take-off shaft. Both engines have completely automatic electrical start systems, and power is available in less than one minute even at extreme low temperatures. Preheating is not required. The Mars engine is also available with a hand-crank starting system; the Jupiter engine is adaptable for pneumatic or fuel-air starting systems. Standard speed control systems for both engines incorporate a droop-type governor with 5 per cent droop from no load to full load and steady-state speed variation of ± 0 . 5 per cent. The system is adaptable for isochronous governing and parallel operation w^hen used for generator set applications. Other types and sizes of gas turbine prime movers are presently in development to satisfy power requirements different from those of the described units. I t is important that proper and timely consideration be given to the ground support requirements for guided missiles systerns so that optimization of the system be achieved, and an effective research tool or weapon be developed. The gas turbine prime mover should play a more important role in this concept in the future, due to its inherent characteristics and flexibility for integration into such a complex system.