Issues for low-emission, fuel-flexible power systems

Modern power generation systems can produce clean, economical energy. Gas t urbines, modem reciprocating engines and fuel cells may all play a role in new power production, both for electric power and mechanical drive applicat ions. Compared to their counterparts of even a decade ago, new power system s have significantly reduced pollutant emissions. However, the careful bala nce between low emissions and operating performance often requires that sys tem performance be optimized on a single fuel. Thus, for example, a gas tur bine designed to produce low emissions on natural gas may not easily achiev e the same emission goals on a different gaseous fuel. This paper reviews t he various issues associated with changes in gaseous fuel composition for l ow-emission turbines, reciprocating engines and fuel cells. (C) 2001 Publis hed by Elsevier Science Ltd.