Future efficiency growth - a historic crossroads for the gas turbine industry
In the 1980s, the efficiencies of the best gas turbine/steam turbine combined-cycle plants were in the 47-50% (LHV) range. Now there are operating plants with efficiencies of 55%, and plants being installed or announced are projected to achieve efficiencies in the 58-60% range. The major determinant of plant efficiency gain has been the improvement of gas turbine components-primarily the expander turbine and compressor. Firing temperatures have risen from under 2000F (1100C) to over 2600F (1430C), while pressure ratios-which were about 10:1-have risen to as high as 30:1. However, progress along this road is becoming ever more difficult, especially because of the necessity of meeting more stringent NOx emission requirements. In a historic shift, manufacturers are turning toward the technology path less traveled-more novel and complex cycles. The latest ABB gas turbine series, the GT24 and GT26, utilize high temperature reheat combustion, the GE 7H and 9H utilize closed-circuit steam cooling, and the CHAT cycle utilizes humidification. This paper shows that by properly combining these techniques, plants can achieve significant further efficiency improvement while maintaining NOx emissions at present levels.
- OSTI ID:
- 560500
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-961232-; TRN: 97:005892-0002
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Power-Gen International `96: 9. international conference and exhibition for the power generating industries, Orlando, FL (United States), 4-6 Dec 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of POWER-GEN `96 international. Book IV - C. Generation trends. Volume 10-12; PB: 384 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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