System and method for gas turbine nox emission improvement
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJianmin Zhang, Balfang Zuo, Bradly Aaron Kippel
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Abstract
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a gas turbine system for NOx emission reduction and part load efficiency improvement is described. The system includes a gas turbine having a compressor which receives inlet-air. A direct-contact heat exchanger heats and humidifies the inlet-air before the inlet-air flows to the compressor. Heating the inlet-air reduces an output of the gas turbine and extends the turndown range. Humidifying the inlet-air can lower NOx emissions from the gas turbine unit.
Claims20
A gas turbine system for NOx emission improvement comprising:
- a gas turbine comprising a compressor, which receives inlet-air;
- and
- a direct-contact heat exchanger, the direct-contact heat exchanger being configured to heat the inlet-air before the inlet-air flows to the compressor, wherein heating and humidifying the inlet-air reduces NOx emission of the gas turbine and extends the turndown range.
A method of controlling a gas turbine system operation for NOx emission improvement, the method comprising:
- utilizing a direct-contact heat exchanger to heat and humidify inlet-air before the inlet-air flows to a gas turbine compressor;
- feeding the gas turbine compressor the heated inlet-air;
- and
- wherein the heated inlet-air reduces NOx emission of the gas turbine and extends the turndown range.
The method of claim 16, wherein the humidity of the inlet-air reduces the NOx emission of the gas turbine and extends the turndown range.
The method of claim 17, wherein the NOx emission is reduced by about 20% to 40% when compared to if the humidity was not elevated.
The method of claim 19, further comprising a drift eliminator, wherein, the sump is also utilized to collect liquid from the drift eliminator, the liquid being recirculated back to the heat exchanger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.