Advanced gas turbine cycle studies: Summary report. Final report
- General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)
Gas turbine designers have, through the years, sought higher and higher firing temperatures in a continuing effort to achieve better specific power and higher cycle efficiencies. A large part of the gain in firing temperatures has been achieved through cooling the turbine nozzles and buckets. In almost all cases the coolant, usually air, is discharged into the gas path after performing its cooling function, which degrades performance. A point of diminishing returns occurs when the benefit of further firing temperature increases tends to be offset by the penalties of increased cooling flow. This study was undertaken to explore and analyze alternative advanced gas turbine concepts that could significantly improve power plant efficiency and economics. A survey of likely cycles was performed. It provided preliminary assessment of intercooled and steam-injected cycles, both aircraft derivative technology and advanced air cooled Brayton combined cycle, open circuit steam cooled Brayton combined cycle, and closed circuit steam cooled Brayton combined cycle, all candidates of heavy-duty industrial and power generation gas turbine technology. The initial survey led to a detailed performance study of the closed circuit steam cooled gas turbine as the most promising next generation technology. Closed circuit steam cooled combined cycle plant thermal efficiency is projected to be about 2 percentage points above an air cooled design at comparable levels of firing temperature and materials technology.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 238532
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR--105954
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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