Comparison of Test Measurements Taken on a Pipeline Compressor / Gas Turbine Unit in the Workshop and at Site

The first part of this paper describes the test installation of the gas turbine and the compressor in the workshop, test execution, measuring methods, evaluation and measuring uncertainties. The second part of this paper describes the site installation, execution of the test under full load conditions on natural gas, measuring methods, evaluation and measuring uncertainties. The third part of this paper compares both the measurements and the Reynolds number correction which was used for the evaluation of the pipeline compressor test results in the workshop.

Mars™ SoLoNOx Combustion System CFD Modeling

CFD analysis methods were successfully implemented and verified with ongoing industrial gas turbine engine lean premix combustion system development. Selected aspects of diffusion and lean premix combustion modeling, predictions, observations and validated CFD results associated with the Solar Turbines Mars™ SoLoNOx combustor are presented. CO and NOx emission formation modeling details applicable to parametric CFD analysis in an industrial design environment are discussed. This effort culminated in identifying phenomena and methods of potentially further reducing NOx and CO emissions while improving engine operability in the Mars™ SoLoNOx combustion system. A potential explanation for the abrupt rise in CO formation observed in many gas turbine lean premix combustion systems is presented.

Semi–Empirical Predictions and Correlations of NOx Emissions From Utility Combustion Turbines

Semi–empirical equations model the dominant subprocesses involved in pollutant emissions by assigning specific times to the fuel evaporation, chemistry, and turbulent mixing. They then employ linear ratios of these times with model constants established by correlating data from combustors with different geometries, inlet conditions, fuels, and fuel injectors to make a priori predictions. In this work, thermal NOx emissions from two heavy–duty, dual fuel (natural gas and fuel oil #2) diffusion flame combustors designated A and B operating without inert injection are first predicted, and then correlated using three existing semi–empirical approaches termed the Lefebvre (AHL) model, the Rizk–Mongia (RM) model, and the characteristic time model (CTM). Heterogeneous effects were found to be significant, as fuel droplet evaporation times were required to align the natural gas and fuel oil data. Only the RM model and CTM were employed to study this phenomenon. The CTM achieved the best overall prediction and correlation, as the data from both combustors fell within one standard deviation of the predicted line. The AHL and RM models were not able to account for the geometries of the two combustors. For Combustor A the CTM parameter correlated the data in a highly linear manner, as expected, but for Combustor B there was significant curvature. Using the CTM this was shown to be a residence time effect.

Surface Fouling in Aviation Fuels: An Isothermal Chemical Study

Surface fouling in aircraft fuel lines that results from autoxidation of aviation fuel remains a serious and very complicated problem. This area has been studied using two Jet-A fuels, POSF-2827 and POSF-2980. The results of a series of dynamic experiments conducted in a single-pass, tubular heat exchanger operated at very slow flow rates under near-isothermal conditions are reported herein. Such studies, by minimizing complications resulting from fluid dynamics and heat flow, constitute a simpler global approach to the chemistry of fouling. The basis for the selection of experimental test conditions is discussed, and data from measurements of dissolved oxygen and surface deposition as a function of fuel stress duration are presented. The effects of parameters such as reaction temperature, tube diameter, experimental test time, and fuel dopants are considered.

Development of Ceramic Composite Hot-Gas Filters

A novel type of hot-gas filter based on a ceramic fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix was developed and extended to full-size, 60-mm OD by 1.5-meter-long, candle filters. A commercially viable process for producing the filters was developed, and the filters are undergoing testing and demonstration throughout the world for applications in pressurized fluidized-bed combustion (PFBC) and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants. Development activities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and at the 3M Company, and testing at the Westinghouse Science and Technology Center (STC) are presented. Demonstration tests at the Tidd PFBC are in progress. Issues identified during the testing and demonstration phases of the development are discussed. Resolution of the issues identified during testing and the status of commercialization of the filters are described.

The Nuclear Gas Turbine: Towards Realization After Half a Century of Evolution

This paper has been written exactly 50 years after the first disclosure of a closed-cycle gas turbine concept with a simplistic uranium heater. Clearly, this plant was ahead of its time in terms of technology readiness, and the closed-cycle gas turbine was initially deployed in a cogeneration mode burning dirty fuels (e.g., coal, furnace gases). In the 1950s through the mid 1980s about 20 of these plants operated providing electrical power and district heating for European cities. The basic concept of a nuclear gas turbine plant was demonstrated in the USA on a small scale in 1961 with a mobile closed-cycle nitrogen gas turbine [330 KW(e)] coupled with a nuclear reactor. In the last three decades, closed-cycle gas turbine research and development, particularly in the U.S. has focused on space power systems, but today the utility size gas turbine-modular helium reactor (GT-MHR) is on the verge of being realized. The theme of this paper traces the half century of closed-cycle gas turbine evolution, and discusses the recent enabling technologies (e.g., magnetic bearings, compact recuperator) that now make the GT-MHR close to realization. The author would like to dedicate this paper to the late Professor Curt Keller who in 1935 filed the first closed-cycle gas turbine patent in Switzerland, and who exactly 50 years ago, first described a power plant involving the coupling of a helium gas turbine with a uranium heater.

Jet Fuel Deposition and Oxidation: Dilution, Materials, Oxygen, and Temperature Effects

The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and pressure measurements are used for determination of jet fuel thermal stability in a batch reactor. The QCM is able to monitor extremely small amounts of deposition in situ, while the pressure measurements provide qualitative data on the oxidation process. The dependence of the deposition amount was monitored as a function of the oxygen availability for two fuels. Also, the effect of QCM electrode materials was investigated. Deposition and oxidation were compared for the following electrode materials: gold, aluminum, silver, and platinum. We also studied the effect of dilution on oxidation and deposition. Jet fuel was diluted with increasing amounts of hydrocarbon solvent. It was observed that this dilution procedure can help characterize a fuel’s effective antioxidant concentration. Fuel dilution is also shown to be a good technique for improving thermal stability characteristics of poor fuels. Additionally we have studied the temperature effect on deposition for two fuels over the range 140 to 180 C.

Applications of Accurate Isentropic Exponent Determination for Fuel Gas Measurement

This paper discusses the determination and application of the isentropic exponent to the various thermodynamic processes found in a high pressure natural gas transmission system. Increasing demands for more precise measurement of natural gas, coupled with the need for greater efficiency and accountability of transportation and processing operations had led to our research and development efforts into the more precise measurement of gas flow, and the determination of gas thermodynamic properties including isentropic exponent. The isentropic exponent has many applications, some of which include: • the determination of the expansion factor ϵ, for calcuation of flow using an orifice or venturi type meter; • the volumetric efficiency in a reciprocating compressor; • the determination of the compression head for a centrigual compressor; • the engine power required for the set given conditions for gas compressor; • the calculation of discharge temperatures for compressors; and • the direct measurement of gas density. As can be appreciated, the application of an incorrect value for the isentropic exponent represents an error in the parameter determined. For large volume gas flows, this can translate into a significant cost penalty.

Development of a Swirl and Bluff-Body Stabilized Burner for Low-NOx, Lean-Premixed Combustion

A burner configuration utilizing both swirl and bluff-body stabilization was developed and tested for dry low-NOx combustion of natural gas fuel. A multiple number of these burners can be used to make up a can combustor. The burner consisted of a central hub supporting an axial swirler and spoke-type fuel injectors mounted coaxially within a 100 mm diameter cylindrical tube. The swirl typically provided strong recirculation and mixing, while the flame was anchored physically to the center hub. Tests were conducted at typical heavy-duty gas turbine conditions of 620 K inlet temperature and 10 atmospheres pressure. Parametric studies were conducted with various configurations of the burner to determine the corresponding effects on fuel-air mixing, flame stability, and NOx and CO emissions. The results show that ultra-low NOx emissions can be obtained if the fuel injection is sufficiently well distributed. The compact flame produced by the highly mixed swirling flow results in very low CO emissions as well. The results suggest also that swirl-strength is reduced in an upstream swirler configuration.

Lean Premixing Prevaporizing Fuel Injectors Comparison

This paper presents detailed experimental results of a vaporizing spray produced by two atomizers in a coflowing air stream inside a constant section lean premixer prevaporizer tube. This study is part of an ongoing effort to understand the behavior of spray under a variety of conditions. PDPA was used to characterize the atomization and vaporization process. The evolution of the two phase flow at each section was assessed in terms of global spray behavior and spray dynamics. The results confirm the influence of fuel injector on size distribution also the relative velocity between gas and dispersed phase on secondary atomization, and finally the complex spray structure in terms of wall proximity.