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GE Gas Turbine Performance Characteristics
GE Gas Turbine Performance Characteristics
GE Power Systems
GE Gas Turbine
Performance
Characteristics
Frank J. Brooks
GE Power Systems
Schenectady, NY
GE Gas Turbine Performance Characteristics
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Thermodynamic Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
The Brayton Cycle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Thermodynamic Analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Combined Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Factors Affecting Gas Turbine Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Air Temperature and Site Elevation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Humidity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Inlet and Exhaust Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Fuels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Fuel Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Diluent Injection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Air Extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Performance Enhancements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Inlet Cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Steam and Water Injection for Power Augmentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Peak Rating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Performance Degradation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Verifying Gas Turbine Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
List of Figures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
All units larger than the Frame 6 are direct- the model number is given in Figure 1.
drive units. The MS7000 series units that are This paper reviews some of the basic thermo-
used for 60 Hz applications have rotational dynamic principles of gas turbine operation
speeds of 3600 rpm. The MS9000 series units and explains some of the factors that affect its
used for 50 Hz applications have a rotational performance.
speed of 3000 rpm. In generator-drive applica-
MS7000
PG 7 12 1 (EA)
Fuel
Combustor Exhaust
2
Compressor 4
Generator
Turbine
Inlet Air GT08922A
Fuel
Combustor Exhaust
Compressor
HP LP Load
Turbine GT08923C
Inlet Air
Figure 3. Simple-cycle, two-shaft gas turbine
respond to the numbers also used in Figure 2. air at point 1 on a continuous basis in exchange
Path 1 to 2 represents the compression occur- for the hot gases exhausted to the atmosphere
ring in the compressor, path 2 to 3 represents at point 4. The actual cycle is an “open” rather
the constant-pressure addition of heat in the than “closed” cycle, as indicated.
combustion systems, and path 3 to 4 represents Every Brayton cycle can be characterized by two
the expansion occurring in the turbine. significant parameters: pressure ratio and firing
The path from 4 back to 1 on the Brayton cycle temperature. The pressure ratio of the cycle is
diagrams indicates a constant-pressure cooling the pressure at point 2 (compressor discharge
process. In the gas turbine, this cooling is done pressure) divided by the pressure at point 1
by the atmosphere, which provides fresh, cool (compressor inlet pressure). In an ideal cycle,
2 3
P
Fuel
2 4
1 4
3
V
3
1 4
T
2
1
GT23055A
S
this pressure ratio is also equal to the pressure sented as firing temperature by point 3 in Figure
at point 3 divided by the pressure at point 4. 4.
However, in an actual cycle there is some slight Steam-cooled first stage nozzles do not reduce
pressure loss in the combustion system and, the temperature of the gas directly through
hence, the pressure at point 3 is slightly less mixing because the steam is in a closed loop.
than at point 2. As shown in Figure 5, the firing temperature on
The other significant parameter, firing temper- a turbine with steam-cooled nozzles (GE’s cur-
ature, is thought to be the highest temperature rent “H” design) has an increase of 200
reached in the cycle. GE defines firing temper- degrees without increasing the combustion
ature as the mass-flow mean total temperature exit temperature.
at the stage 1 nozzle trailing edge plane. An alternate method of determining firing tem-
Currently all first stage nozzles are cooled to perature is defined in ISO document 2314, “Gas
keep the temperatures within the operating lim- Turbines – Acceptance Tests.” The firing tem-
its of the materials being used. The two types of perature here is a reference turbine inlet tem-
cooling currently employed by GE are air and perature and is not generally a temperature that
steam. exists in a gas turbine cycle; it is calculated from
Air cooling has been used for more than 30 a heat balance on the combustion system, using
years and has been extensively developed in air- parameters obtained in a field test. This ISO
craft engine technology, as well as the latest fam- reference temperature will always be less than
ily of large power generation machines. Air the true firing temperature as defined by GE, in
used for cooling the first stage nozzle enters the many cases by 100 F/38 C or more for machines
hot gas stream after cooling down the nozzle using air extracted from the compressor for
and reduces the total temperature immediately internal cooling, which bypasses the combustor.
downstream. GE uses this temperature since it is Figure 6 shows how these various temperatures
more indicative of the cycle temperature repre- are defined.
Turbine Inlet
Temperature
- Average Gas Temp
in Plane A. (TA)
Firing Temperature
- Average Gas Temp
in Plane B. (TB)
GT17983A
The pressure ratio resulting in maximum out- while simple-cycle efficiency is not maximized,
put and maximum efficiency change with firing combined-cycle efficiency is at its peak.
temperature, and the higher the pressure ratio, Combined cycle is the expected application for
the greater the benefits from increased firing the MS7001FA.
temperature. Increases in firing temperature
provide power increases at a given pressure Combined Cycle
ratio, although there is a sacrifice of efficiency A typical simple-cycle gas turbine will convert
due to the increase in cooling air losses 30% to 40% of the fuel input into shaft output.
required to maintain parts lives. All but 1% to 2% of the remainder is in the
In combined-cycle applications (as shown in the form of exhaust heat. The combined cycle is
bottom graph in Figure 7 ), pressure ratio generally defined as one or more gas turbines
increases have a less pronounced effect on effi- with heat-recovery steam generators in the
ciency. Note also that as pressure ratio increas- exhaust, producing steam for a steam turbine
es, specific power decreases. Increases in firing generator, heat-to-process, or a combination
temperature result in increased thermal effi- thereof.
ciency. The significant differences in the slope Figure 8 shows a combined cycle in its simplest
of the two curves indicate that the optimum form. High utilization of the fuel input to the
cycle parameters are not the same for simple gas turbine can be achieved with some of the
and combined cycles. more complex heat-recovery cycles, involving
Simple-cycle efficiency is achieved with high multiple-pressure boilers, extraction or topping
pressure ratios. Combined-cycle efficiency is steam turbines, and avoidance of steam flow to
obtained with more modest pressure ratios and a condenser to preserve the latent heat content.
greater firing temperatures. For example, the Attaining more than 80% utilization of the fuel
MS7001FA design parameters are 2420 F/1316 C input by a combination of electrical power gen-
firing temperature and 15.7:1 pressure ratio; eration and process heat is not unusual.
Exhaust
HRSG
ST Gen
Turb Gen
Fuel
Comb
Air
Gas Turbine GT05363C
Combined cycles producing only electrical parameters and component efficiencies as well
power are in the 50% to 60% thermal efficien- as air mass flow.
cy range using the more advanced gas turbines. Correction for altitude or barometric pressure
Papers dealing with combined-cycle applica- is more straightforward. The air density reduces
tions in the GE Reference Library include: as the site elevation increases. While the result-
GER-3574F, “GE Combined-Cycle Product Line ing airflow and output decrease proportionate-
and Performance”; GER-3767, “Single-Shaft ly, the heat rate and other cycle parameters are
Combined-Cycle Power Generation Systems”; not affected. A standard altitude correction
and GER-3430F, “Cogeneration Application curve is presented in Figure 10.
Considerations.”
Humidity
Factors Affecting Gas Turbine Similarly, humid air, which is less dense than
Performance dry air, also affects output and heat rate, as
shown in Figure 11. In the past, this effect was
Air Temperature and Site Elevation thought to be too small to be considered.
Since the gas turbine is an air-breathing engine, However, with the increasing size of gas turbines
its performance is changed by anything that and the utilization of humidity to bias water and
affects the density and/or mass flow of the air steam injection for NOx control, this effect has
intake to the compressor. Ambient weather greater significance.
conditions are the most obvious changes from It should be noted that this humidity effect is a
the reference conditions of 59 F/15 C and 14.7 result of the control system approximation of
psia/1.013 bar. Figure 9 shows how ambient tem- firing temperature used on GE heavy-duty gas
perature affects the output, heat rate, heat con- turbines. Single-shaft turbines that use turbine
sumption, and exhaust flow of a single-shaft exhaust temperature biased by the compressor
MS7001. Each turbine model has its own tem- pressure ratio to the approximate firing tem-
perature-effect curve, as it depends on the cycle perature will reduce power as a result of
130
120
110
Heat Rate
Percent
Design 100
90
Exhaust Flow
Heat Cons.
80
Output
70
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Compressor
°F
Inlet
Temperature
-18 -7 4 16 27 38 49
GT22045D
°C
GT18848B
GT22046B
the effects on the MS7001EA, which are typical possible to make some general assumptions. If
for the E technology family of scaled machines the fuel consists only of hydrocarbons with no
(MS6001B, 7001EA, 9001E). inert gases and no oxygen atoms, output
increases as LHV increases. Here the effects of
Fuels
Cp are greater than the effects of mass flow.
Work from a gas turbine can be defined as the
Also, as the amount of inert gases is increased,
product of mass flow, heat energy in the com-
the decrease in LHV will provide an increase in
busted gas (Cp), and temperature differential
output. This is the major impact of IGCC type
across the turbine. The mass flow in this
fuels that have large amounts of inert gas in the
equation is the sum of compressor airflow
fuel. This mass flow addition, which is not com-
and fuel flow. The heat energy is a function
pressed by the gas turbine’s compressor,
of the elements in the fuel and the products
increases the turbine output. Compressor
of combustion.
power is essentially unchanged. Several side
Tables 1 and 2 show that natural gas (methane) effects must be considered when burning this
produces nearly 2% more output than does dis- kind of lower heating value fuels:
tillate oil. This is due to the higher specific heat
■ Increased turbine mass flow drives up
in the combustion products of natural gas,
compressor pressure ratio, which
resulting from the higher water vapor content
eventually encroaches on the
produced by the higher hydrogen/carbon ratio
compressor surge limit
of methane. This effect is noted even though
the mass flow (lb/h) of methane is lower than ■ The higher turbine power may exceed
the mass flow of distillate fuel. Here the effects fault torque limits. In many cases, a
of specific heat were greater than and in oppo- larger generator and other accessory
sition to the effects of mass flow. equipment may be needed
Figure 13 shows the total effect of various fuels ■ High fuel volumes increase fuel piping
on turbine output. This curve uses methane as and valve sizes (and costs). Low- or
the base fuel. medium-Btu coal gases are frequently
Although there is no clear relationship between supplied at high temperatures, which
fuel lower heating value (LHV) and output, it is further increases their volume flow
60
100%
30 H2
50
LHV-Btu/lb (Thousands)
Kcal/kg (Thousands)
40
20
30
100%
20 CH4
10
100%
CH4H10
10
75% N2 - 25% CH4
100% CO 75% CO2 - 25% CH4
0
100 105 110 115 120 125 130
130
With 5%
Steam
120 Injection
110
Output
100
%
90 No Steam
Injection
3%
80 1%
70
40 60 80 100 120
ºF
4 16 27 38 49
ºC
Compressor Inlet Temperature
GT18851A GT22048-1C
Figure 14. Effect of steam injection on output and Figure 15. Effect of air extraction on output and heat
heat rate rate
additional mass flow. Figure 14 shows the effect shows the effect of air extraction on output and
of steam injection on output and heat rate for heat rate. As a “rule of thumb,” every 1% in air
an MS7001EA. These curves assume that steam extraction results in a 2% loss in power.
is free to the gas turbine cycle, therefore heat
Performance Enhancements
rate improves. Since it takes more fuel to raise
water to combustor conditions than steam, Generally, controlling some of the factors that
water injection does not provide an improve- affect gas turbine performance is not possible.
ment in heat rate. The planned site location and the plant config-
uration (such as simple- or combined-cycle)
Air Extraction determine most of these factors. In the event
In some gas turbine applications, it may be additional output is needed, several possibilities
desirable to extract air from the compressor. to enhance performance may be considered.
Inlet Cooling
The ambient effect curve (see Figure 9) clearly
shows that turbine output and heat rate are
improved as compressor inlet temperature
decreases. Lowering the compressor inlet tem-
perature can be accomplished by installing an
evaporative cooler or inlet chiller in the inlet
ducting downstream of the inlet filters. Careful
application of these systems is necessary, as con-
densation or carryover of water can exacerbate
compressor fouling and degrade performance.
These systems generally are followed by mois-
ture separators or coalescing pads to reduce the GT22419-1D
Psychrometric 100% RH
40 .020
Chart 60% RH
(Simplified)
35
.015
30 40% RH
Btu Per Pound Evaporative
of Dry Air Cooling Process
25
Specific
.010
Humidity
20 20% RH
Inlet Chilling
Process
15
.005
10% RH
.000
°F 40 60 80 100 120
Dry Bulb
Temperature °C 4 GT21141D
16 27 38 49
specific humidity, as shown in Figure 17. As satu- Performance defines base load as operation at
ration is approached, water begins to condense 8,000 hours per year with 800 hours per start. It
from the air, and mist eliminators are used. also defines peak load as operation at 1250
Further heat transfer cools the condensate and hours per year with five hours per start.
air, and causes more condensation. Because of In recognition of shorter operating hours, it is
the relatively high heat of vaporization of water, possible to increase firing temperature to gen-
most of the cooling energy in this regime goes erate more output. The penalty for this type of
to condensation and little to temperature operation is shorter inspection intervals.
reduction. Despite this, running an MS5001, MS6001 or
Steam and Water Injection for Power MS7001 at peak may be a cost-effective way to
Augmentation obtain more kilowatts without the need for
additional peripheral equipment.
Injecting steam or water into the head end of
the combustor for NOx abatement increases Generators used with gas turbines likewise have
mass flow and, therefore, output. Generally, the peak ratings that are obtained by operating at
amount of water is limited to the amount higher power factors or temperature rises. Peak
required to meet the NOx requirement in order cycle ratings are ratings that are customized to
to minimize operating cost and impact on the mission of the turbine considering both
inspection intervals. starts and hours of operation. Firing tempera-
tures between base and peak can be selected to
Steam injection for power augmentation has
maximize the power capabilities of the turbine
been an available option on GE gas turbines for
while staying within the starts limit envelope of
over 30 years. When steam is injected for power
the turbine hot section repair interval. For
augmentation, it can be introduced into the
instance, the 7EA can operate for 24,000 hours
compressor discharge casing of the gas turbine
on gas fuel at base load, as defined. The starts
as well as the combustor. The effect on output
limit to hot section repair interval is 800 starts.
and heat rate is the same as that shown in Figure
14. GE gas turbines are designed to allow up to For peaking cycle of five hours per start, the hot
5% of the compressor airflow for steam injec- section repair interval would occur at 4,000
tion to the combustor and compressor dis- hours, which corresponds to operation at peak
charge. Steam must contain 50 F/28 C super- firing temperatures. Turbine missions between
heat and be at pressures comparable to fuel gas five hours per start and 800 hours per start may
pressures. allow firing temperatures to increase above base
but below peak without sacrificing hours to hot
When either steam or water is used for power
section repair. Water injection for power aug-
augmentation, the control system is normally
mentation may be factored into the peak cycle
designed to allow only the amount needed for
rating to further maximize output.
NOx abatement until the machine reaches base
(full) load. At that point, additional steam or
water can be admitted via the governor control.
Performance Degradation
All turbomachinery experiences losses in per-
Peak Rating formance with time. Gas turbine performance
The performance values listed in Table 1 are degradation can be classified as recoverable or
base load ratings. ANSI B133.6 Ratings and non-recoverable loss. Recoverable loss is usually
associated with compressor fouling and can be power plant performance. Power, fuel, heat
partially rectified by water washing or, more consumption and sufficient supporting data
thoroughly, by mechanically cleaning the com- should be recorded to enable as-tested per-
pressor blades and vanes after opening the unit. formance to be corrected to the condition of
Non-recoverable loss is due primarily to the guarantee. Preferably, this test should be
increased turbine and compressor clearances done as soon as practical, with the unit in new
and changes in surface finish and airfoil con- and clean condition. In general, a machine is
tour. Because this loss is caused by reduction in considered to be in new and clean condition if
component efficiencies, it cannot be recovered it has less than 200 fired hours of operation.
by operational procedures, external mainte- Testing procedures and calculation methods are
nance or compressor cleaning, but only patterned after those described in the ASME
through replacement of affected parts at rec- Performance Test Code PTC-22-1997, “Gas
ommended inspection intervals. Turbine Power Plants.” Prior to testing, all sta-
Quantifying performance degradation is diffi- tion instruments used for primary data collec-
cult because consistent, valid field data is hard tion must be inspected and calibrated. The test
to obtain. Correlation between various sites is should consist of sufficient test points to ensure
impacted by variables such as mode of opera- validity of the test set-up. Each test point should
tion, contaminants in the air, humidity, fuel and consist of a minimum of four complete sets of
dilutent injection levels for NOx. Another prob- readings taken over a 30-minute time period
lem is that test instruments and procedures vary when operating at base load. Per ASME PTC-22-
widely, often with large tolerances. 1997, the methodology of correcting test results
Typically, performance degradation during the to guarantee conditions and measurement
first 24,000 hours of operation (the normally uncertainties (approximately 1% on output and
recommended interval for a hot gas path heat rate when testing on gas fuel) shall be
inspection) is 2% to 6% from the performance agreed upon by the parties prior to the test.
test measurements when corrected to guaran-
teed conditions. This assumes degraded parts Summary
are not replaced. If replaced, the expected per- This paper reviewed the thermodynamic princi-
formance degradation is 1% to 1.5%. Recent ples of both one- and two-shaft gas turbines and
field experience indicates that frequent off-line discussed cycle characteristics of the several
water washing is not only effective in reducing models of gas turbines offered by GE. Ratings of
recoverable loss, but also reduces the rate of the product line were presented, and factors
non-recoverable loss. affecting performance were discussed along
One generalization that can be made from the with methods to enhance gas turbine output.
data is that machines located in dry, hot cli- GE heavy-duty gas turbines serving industrial,
mates typically degrade less than those in utility and cogeneration users have a proven
humid climates. history of sustained performance and reliabili-
ty. GE is committed to providing its customers
Verifying Gas Turbine Performance with the latest in equipment designs and
Once the gas turbine is installed, a perform- advancements to meet power needs at high
ance test is usually conducted to determine thermal efficiency.
List of Figures
Figure 1. Heavy-duty gas turbine model designation
Figure 2. Simple-cycle, single-shaft gas turbine
Figure 3. Simple-cycle, two-shaft gas turbine
Figure 4. Brayton cycle
Figure 5. Comparison of air-cooled vs. steam-cooled first stage nozzle
Figure 6. Definition of firing temperature
Figure 7. Gas turbine thermodynamics
Figure 8. Combined cycle
Figure 9. Effect of ambient temperature
Figure 10. Altitude correction curve
Figure 11. Humidity effect curve
Figure 12. Pressure drop effects (MS7001EA)
Figure 13. Effect of fuel heating value on output
Figure 14. Effect of steam injection on output and heat rate
Figure 15. Effect of air extraction on output and heat rate
Figure 16. Effect of evaporative cooling on output and heat rate
Figure 17. Inlet chilling process
List of Tables
Table 1. GE gas turbine performance characteristics - Generator drive gas turbine ratings
Table 2. GE gas turbine performance characteristics - Mechanical drive gas turbine ratings