Jw. Lyons et A. Morrison, UTILITY PERSPECTIVE OF SELECTING AIR FILTER FOR SIMPLE-CYCLE, HEAVY-DUTY COMBUSTION TURBINES, Journal of engineering for gas turbines and power, 115(3), 1993, pp. 670-673
The combustion turbines evaluated for this study range in size (nomina
l) from 80 MW to 100 MW and operate at a compression ratio between 10
and 14. Under these conditions the compressor ingests about 500,000 to
725,000 cubic feet of air per minute for its rated output. With this
volume of air, even low concentrations of contaminants can result in a
significant total amount of contaminants entering the unit, which may
cause compressor erosion, fouling, and foreign object damage in the c
ompressor section and cooling air passage blockage, locking of turbine
blade roots, and hot corrosion or sulfidation in the turbine section.
Adequate protection against the above-mentioned degradation or damage
due to poor air quality may be obtained by using properly designed ai
r filters. An inadequate filter system or total lack of one results in
a reduction in power and efficiency over the life of the unit and may
significantly decrease the intervals between maintenance and thereby
increase the cost of maintenance. Consideration should be given to add
ing an air inlet filter when or after the combustion turbine without a
ir filter is overhauled to reduce future maintenance costs. This study
investigates the need for an inlet air filtration system for simple-c
ycle, heavy-duty combustion turbines from a cost/benefit and operation
standpoint. Options for inlet air filters include a self-cleaning pul
se type filter, a surface loading cartridge filter without pulse featu
re, and a three-stage depth loading type media type filter. Benefits a
re determined by estimates of improvements in performance and effects
on the combustion turbine's longevity and maintenance.