Turbine anti-icing system
AssigneeAtlantic Richfield Company
InventorBennett D. Ball
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Exhaust gas is recirculated from the exhaust stack of a gas fired turbine to the air inlet along a constantly-open path to prevent inlet freeze-up. When anti-icing is not needed the exhaust stack is fully opened, creating a partial vacuum in the exhaust stack. At the turbine inlet the recirculation line, is opened to atmosphere. The resultant pressure differential between the opposite ends of the recirculation line creates a driving force for positively purging the recirculation line of unwanted residual exhaust gases. This in turn eliminates a source of unwanted moisture which could otherwise condense, freeze and interfere with turbine operations.
Claims5
The method of prevention of icing at the air inlet of a gas turbine incorporating an exhaust stack vented to atmosphere and interconnected with said air inlet by means of a recirculation line comprising the steps of:
- (a) maintaining a constant uninterrupted flow path between the opposite ends of said recirculation line;
- (b) establishing a back pressure within said exhaust stack in the presence of icing conditions sufficient to cause exhaust gas to flow through said recirculation line from said exhaust stack to said air inlet and thereby to heat ambient air entering said inlet;
- and
- (c) creating a partial vacuum within said exhaust stack upon cessation of said icing conditions sufficient to cause ambient air to flow through said recirculation line from said air inlet to said exhaust stack thereby purging said recirculation line of residual exhaust gases.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.