Patent Application
20140123623
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbomachines and, more particularly, to a gas turbomachine system including an inlet chiller condensate recovery system.
Gas turbomachines include a compressor portion linked to a turbine portion through a common compressor/turbine shaft and a combustor assembly. An inlet airflow is passed through an air intake toward the compressor portion. In the compressor portion, the inlet airflow is compressed through a number of sequential stages toward the combustor assembly. In the combustor assembly, the compressed airflow mixes with a fuel to form a combustible mixture. The combustible mixture is combusted in the combustor assembly to form hot gases. The hot gases are guided to the turbine portion through a transition piece. The hot gases expand through the turbine portion acting upon turbine blades mounted on wheels to create work that is output, for example, to power a generator, a pump, or to provide power to a vehicle.
In some cases, the inlet airflow is cooled prior to entering the compressor portion. When cooling is desired, an inlet chiller is arranged in the air intake. Cooling increases a mass flow rate of the inlet air leading to various efficiencies in the gas turbomachine. Cooling the inlet airflow may also introduce moisture into the inlet air. Unregulated introduction of moisture into the gas turbomachine may cause damage to various internal components of the compressor portion and/or the turbine portion. Accordingly, it generally desirable to remove the moisture from the inlet airflow. Thus, many air intakes include mist eliminators arranged downstream of the inlet chiller to remove and collect moisture from the inlet airflow.
According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a gas turbomachine system includes a compressor portion including an inlet portion, a turbine portion fluidically connected to and mechanically linked with the compressor portion, and a combustor assembly including at least one combustor fluidically connected to the turbine portion. An inlet system is fluidically connected to the inlet portion of the compressor portion. The inlet system includes an inlet chiller. An inlet chiller condensate recovery system is fluidically connected to the inlet system and one of the compressor portion and the combustor assembly.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor portion having an inlet portion, a turbine portion fluidically connected to, and mechanically linked with, the compressor portion, and a combustor assembly, including at least one combustor, fluidically connected to the turbine portion. An inlet system is fluidically connected to the inlet portion of the compressor portion. The inlet system includes an inlet chiller. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbine portion, and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) fluidically connected to the steam turbine portion. An inlet chiller condensate recovery system is fluidically connected to the inlet system. The inlet chiller condensate recovery system is fluidically connected to the inlet chiller and the HRSG.
According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a combined cycle power plant (CCPP) includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor portion having an inlet portion, a turbine portion fluidically connected to, and mechanically linked with, the compressor portion, and a combustor assembly including at least one combustor fluidically connected to the turbine portion. An inlet system is fluidically connected to the inlet portion of the compressor portion, the inlet system including an inlet chiller. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbine portion, and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) fluidically connected to the steam turbine portion. An inlet chiller condensate recovery system is fluidically connected to the inlet system. The inlet chiller condensate recovery system is fluidically connected to the inlet chiller and to one of the compressor portion, the combustor assembly, and the HRSG.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
A gas turbomachine system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at 2 in
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, gas turbomachine system 2 includes an inlet chiller condensate recovery system 60. Inlet chiller condensate recovery system 60 captures condensate passing from inlet system 30 for re-use in gas turbomachine system 2. Re-use or reclaiming inlet chiller condensation is particularly advantageous in arid climates in which water is scarce. However, inlet chiller condensate recovery system 60 may be employed in a variety of climates and should not be considered to be limited for use in arid or dry climates.
Inlet chiller condensate recovery system 60 includes a storage tank 63 that receives and stores inlet chiller condensate from inlet chiller 50. Storage tank 63 includes an inlet 66 fluidically connected to condensate outlet 52 and an outlet 68. In accordance with an aspect of the exemplary embodiment, storage tank 63 is provided with a de-ionizer 72 that conditions the inlet chiller condensate to meet conductivity requirements for use in combustor 10. Inlet chiller condensate recovery system 60 also includes a pump 77 that guides inlet chiller condensate from storage tank 63. Pump 77 includes an inlet portion 79 fluidically connected to outlet 68 of storage tank 63 and an outlet portion 80 that is fluidically connected to combustor 10. In accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, pump 77 delivers inlet chiller condensate as an injection medium associated with the use of liquid fuels. The introduction of inlet chiller condensate into combustor 10 contributes to NOx abatement in gas turbomachine emissions.
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In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, CCPP 180 includes an inlet chiller condensate recovery system 260 fluidically connected to inlet system 210. Inlet chiller condensate recovery system 260 includes a storage tank 263 having an inlet 266 fluidically connected to condensate outlet 232, a first outlet 268 and a second outlet 269. First outlet 268 of storage tank 263 is connected to a first pump 270. Specifically, first pump 270 includes an inlet portion 272 fluidically connected to first outlet 268 and an outlet portion 273. Outlet portion 273 is fluidically connected to a mixer 280. Mixer 280 includes a first inlet section 282 coupled to outlet portion 273 and a second inlet section 283 fluidically connected to a cooling water system 290. Mixer 280 also includes an outlet 300 fluidically connected to condenser 246 of HRSG 245. With this arrangement, inlet chiller condensate from inlet chiller 230 mixes with cooling water (water slightly above ambient) before being passed to condenser 246.
In addition to providing inlet chiller condensate to HRSG 245, inlet chiller condensate recovery system 260 may also be configured to deliver inlet chiller condensate to gas turbomachine system 182. More specifically, inlet chiller condensate recovery system 260 may include a second pump 310 including an inlet portion 312 fluidically connected to second outlet 269. Second pump 310 also includes an outlet portion 314 that delivers inlet chiller condensate to combustor 190. Inlet chiller condensate may pass through a de-ionizer 315 and an atomizer 320 that may also be connected to a liquid fuel source 324. Outlet portion 314 may also be connected to inlet portion 200 of compressor portion 184.
At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments provide a system for recovering and re-using, or reclaiming, inlet chiller condensate from a gas turbomachine inlet system. The inlet chiller condensate may be employed in a variety of applications in both the gas turbomachine system and/or the steam turbomachine portion of the combined cycle power plant. For example, the inlet chiller condensate may be employed as a fluid injected into a combustor assembly to reduce NOx and other emissions. The re-use, or reclamation, of inlet chiller condensate is particularly advantageous in areas, such as the Middle East, in which water may be a scarce commodity. Reclaiming inlet chiller condensate provides various advantages, such as emission reduction, without incurring costs associated with the purchase, transport and storage of water from remote sources.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
