Inlet cooling provides a low-cost, effective, energy-efficient, and environmentally beneficial means to enhance power generation capacity and efficiency.  

 

Gas turbines are effectively constant volume machines requiring large quantities of air for combustion and cooling of the turbine parts. As they are internal combustion engines, their output is a function of the mass flow rate of air through the machine and as such, any reduction in air density will seriously affect output and heat rate. Characteristic curves for gas turbines show that for every 1˚C increase in the intake air temperature there will be a corresponding reduction in output of approximately 0.6%. In climates where high ambient temperatures are commonplace, this major loss in power output can be a significant limiting factor. The installation of evaporative cooling on a gas turbine intake increases the air density by reducing temperature and raising the water vapor content. The results can be remarkable, with lost power output regained and thermal efficiency improved.

 

Northern supply modular, standalone skids for the evaporative cooler water system. These skids offer the following advantages:

 

 

• Easy to maintain; the skid is mounted at ground level

• No outage required for maintenance of components; all components are mounted on the skid, reducing maintenance and outage costs

• Easy to isolate. Only one valve need be closed

• Standby pump provided ensures uninterrupted operation

• PLC operated skid, completely automatic operation