If there is something that we have been able to demonstrate during all these years of vast experience, it is that the TIAC solution is a cost-effective optimized solution.
Today, there are various ways to enhance the power output of gas turbines. One of the most cost-effective is Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (TIAC). This technology can increase a gas turbine’s output by more than 30%, with a minimum cost compare to install a new gas turbine.
Six important things about Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (GTIAC) you need to know:
1. Ambient Conditions and Design Point
To start the design process, the team performs annual analysis based on a proprietary developed software which provides hourly weather conditions data. In addition, it is a general practice to go to the field to obtain real weather data for final verification. In the preliminary study, the team defines dry bulb temperature and wet bulb temperature. With a view to optimizing the TIAC engineering solutions in terms of cost and energy, the next step is to engage the psychometric chart. Of utmost importance in this step is to avoid oversizing or under-sizing the system.
2. Choosing chilling coil
Optimal chilling coil design is crucial. If the chilling coil size in the filter house is too small, the chilled water temperature required to achieve the desired inlet air temperature would be low and the chilled water delta T would be small. To produce this chilled water at lower temperature and small delta T, a larger capacity chiller plant is required, with higher than necessary parasitic load.
3. High-Efficient Industrial Chillers
Connecting multiple chillers in series counter flow configuration has a significant impact on system efficiency. This type of cascading configuration can reduce the compressor work needed by each chiller, improving the overall chiller system efficiency by as much as 8%.
4. Heat Rejection Technologies
To reject heat from the refrigeration process, we have three options namely air cooled, water-cooled and effluent, usually seawater or river water cooled. Each of these has advantages and favorable factors. For instance, seawater cooled comes out as frontrunner for a TIAC solution power plant that is located close to the sea or water body. For a power plant that is not close to either a river or sea, then ARANER can design and install an air-cooled option or if water is available, a water cooled option using evaporative condensers, cooling towers and other components.
5. Designing holistically
In many projects, the scope of supply responsibility for chiller plant and coils lies with separate vendors. This results in a GTIAC system that does not have optimal lifetime performance. It is vital to take a holistic approach to GTIAC system design from the start.
6. Thermal Energy Storage
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) integration into the TIAC solution is an important consideration for the engineering and design of the power station to be complete. Together, they form a TESTIAC system that produces cooled water (other forms are also available) during off peak hours and keep it in tanks. This water is then used to provide a constant cooling temperature for the gas turbine at peak hours, thereby achieving increased efficiency and output of the gas turbine.
Bad choices in terms of Turbine Cooling plant design might affect to the plant long term operation and consequently to the project OPEX. We would like to share the lessons we learned from past experiences to design a successful and efficient Turbine Cooling plant.
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