Gas turbine air injection system control and method of operation
AssigneePowerphase LLC
InventorsRobert J. KRAFT, Scott AUERBACH
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and methods for controlling an air injection system for augmenting the power of a gas turbine engine, improving gas turbine engine operation, and reducing the response time necessary to meet changing demands of a power plant. Improvements in control of the air injection system include ways directed towards preheating the air injection system, including using an gas turbine components, such as an inlet bleed heat system to aid in the preheating process.
Claims12
A method of operating an air injection system for providing power augmentation to a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- preheating the air injection system;
- operating a fueled engine, intercooled compressor, and intercooler of the air injection system to generate a supply of compressed air and directing exhaust from the fueled engine through a recuperator to thermally interact with the compressed air from the intercooled compressor thereby generating a supply of heated compressed air;
- injecting the heated compressed air into the gas turbine engine for a predetermined period of time;
- terminating injection of the heated compressed air into the gas turbine engine;
- and,
- terminating operation of the air injection system.
One or more computer-readable media that, when invoked by computer-executable instructions, perform a method for operating an air injection system for providing power augmentation to a gas turbine engine, the method comprising:
- preheating the air injection system;
- operating a fueled engine, intercooled compressor, and intercooler of the air injection system to generate a supply of compressed air and directing exhaust from the fueled engine through a recuperator to thermally interact with the compressed air from the intercooled compressor thereby generating a supply of heated compressed air;
- injecting the heated compressed air into the gas turbine engine for a predetermined period of time;
- terminating injection of the heated compressed air into the gas turbine engine;
- and,
- terminating operation of the air injection system.
A method of preheating an air injection system for a gas turbine engine comprising:
- operating the gas turbine engine;
- opening all valves within the air injection system to at least a partially opened position;
- directing a flow of compressed air from a compressor discharge region of the gas turbine engine to flow through a piping portion and the valves of the air injection system;
- discharging the flow of compressed air to through a silencer;
- determining that a desired operating temperature for the piping portion of the air injection system has been established;
- and,
- terminating the flow of compressed air from the compressor discharge region of the gas turbine engine.
A method of preheating a piping portion of an air injection system for a gas turbine engine comprising:
- operating the air injection system thereby generating a source of heated compressed air;
- directing the heated compressed air through a bi-directional injection control valve;
- directing the heated compressed air through the piping portion of the air injection system;
- and,
- discharging the heated compressed air into an exhaust portion of the gas turbine engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.