Manage Gas Turbine Performance in Cold Conditions
Gas turbine inlet heating protects against inlet and compressor icing in cold, humid conditions, and on some units helps maintain compressor margin and emissions compliance at part load. That protection has a cost. Warmer inlet air reduces mass flow and power output. Compressor bleed heating also wastes compression work, while external heating systems add a parasitic load.
Using actual operating data and thermodynamic energy balance methods, EPro+ quantifies the impact of inlet heating on gas turbine performance, including compressor performance, firing temperature, mass flow, and power output. This gives operators a clear picture of the trade-off so their inlet heating strategy can be optimized.
Thermodynamic Evaluation of Inlet Heating
Gas turbine performance depends heavily on the condition of air entering the compressor. Gas turbine inlet heating raises compressor inlet temperature, reducing air density, mass flow, and output. The size of that penalty depends on how much heat is added, how it is supplied, and whether the system is operating as designed.
EPro+ uses an energy balance across the inlet to quantify the actual impact of gas turbine inlet heating, compare it with expected performance, and identify issues such as excessive bleed flow, leaking bleed valves, inlet heating outside its intended operating window, and biased inlet temperature measurements. The analysis draws on compressor inlet conditions, ambient measurements, fuel flow, exhaust conditions, and other available plant data.
This approach separates expected changes caused by ambient conditions and gas turbine inlet heating from gas turbine engine performance changes associated with equipment condition, instrumentation, or operating settings.
Data-Driven Gas Turbine Performance Analysis
EPro+ uses a detailed thermodynamic energy balance to evaluate gas turbine operation. The analysis accounts for mass and energy flows through the engine and applies established engineering methodologies to assess performance.
The evaluation can include:
- Compressor inlet temperature and pressure
- Compressor inlet mass flow
- Fuel gas flow and composition
- Exhaust temperature and pressure
- Turbine operating conditions
- Firing temperature
- Ambient weather conditions
- Gas turbine inlet heating system operating parameters
- Component performance and efficiency
By examining these parameters together, EPro+ provides a more complete understanding of gas turbine operation rather than relying on individual measurements or control system calculations alone.
Improve Reliability and Operating Visibility
Properly evaluating inlet heating can help operators make better-informed decisions about gas turbine operation. EPro+ identifies deviations from expected performance and provides engineering recommendations based on measured plant conditions.
The results can support operating decisions, performance optimization, maintenance planning, and ongoing equipment monitoring. Establishing a reliable performance baseline also makes it easier to identify future changes in gas turbine behavior.
Independent Engineering Support
EPro+ combines proprietary thermodynamic analysis software with experienced gas turbine engineering expertise. Evaluations can be performed remotely using plant data and site staff, or with onsite engineering support when additional verification is required.
With gas turbine inlet heating analysis grounded in thermodynamic principles and validated operating data, EPro+ helps power generation operators better understand inlet conditions and their effect on engine performance, efficiency, and reliability.
