What is Turbine Air Systems
What is an Inlet Air Cooling System?
Gas turbine inlet air cooling is a system that improves gas turbine performance by cooling the air entering the turbine. Mechanical cooling is the most efficient method of gas turbine inlet air cooling. These systems increase cooling capacity and consistency for optimal output, extending the life of the turbine and reducing maintenance costs.
What Other Terms are There for Inlet Air Cooling Systems?
Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (GTIAC), Turbine Inlet Air Cooling (TIAC) and Turbine Inlet Cooling (TIC).
Why are Inlet Air Cooling Systems Needed?
Gas turbines get too hot during warm weather when demand is high and lose power output. Gas turbine power plant operation is more efficient when ambient temperatures are low. Adding more generators is often time consuming and expensive. Turbine inlet air cooling systems can improve the output of existing generators. High temperature can degrade performance, so this air system cools the air entering the gas turbine.
What are the Components of Inlet Air Cooling Systems?
An electro-mechanical system, turbine inlet air cooling contains the following parts:
- Chillers
- Pumps
- Heat rejection equipment
- Piping
- Controls
- Heat transfer equipment
How Do Inlet Air Cooling Systems Work?
To help improve gas turbine performance, this system employs the following steps:
- Ambient air is sucked in through filters.
- Air enters chilling coil.
- A thermo process removes heat from the air.
- The cool air is now at the correct design inlet temperature.
- Newly chilled air is fed into the turbine compressor.
Click here for power utilities courses. Sources: http://www.stellar-energy.net/what-we-do/solutions/turbine-inlet-air-chilling.aspx http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/en_sg/buildings/solutions-by-industry/power-plants/gtiac
