Background: Power generation from gas turbines is penalized by a substantial power output loss with increased ambient temperature. By cooling down the gas turbine intake air, the power output penalty can be mitigated. Method of Approach: The purpose of this paper is to review the state of the art in applications for reducing the gas turbine intake air temperature and examine the merits from integration of the different air-cooling methods in gas-turbine-based power plants. Three different intake air-cooling, methods (evaporative cooling, refrigeration cooling, and evaporative cooling of precompressed air) have been applied in two combined cycle power plants and two gas turbine plants. The calculations were performed on a yearly basis of operation, taking into account the time-varying climatic conditions. The economics from integration of the different cooling systems were calculated and compared. Results: The results have demonstrated that the highest incremental electricity generation is realized by absorption intake air-cooling. In terms of the economic performance of the investment, the evaporative cooler has the lowest total cost of incremental electricity generation and the lowest payback period (PB). Concerning the cooling method of pre-compressed air, the results show a significant gain in capacity, but the total cost of incremental electricity generation in this case is the highest. Conclusions: Because of the much higher capacity gain by an absorption chiller system, the evaporative cooler and the absorption chiller system may both be selected for boosting the performance of gas-turbine-based power plants, depending on the prevailing requirements of the plant operator.
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e-mail: ekak@central.ntua.gr
e-mail: adoukel@central.ntua.gr
e-mail: alexander.prelipceanu@linde-le.com
e-mail: karellas@ltk.mw.tum.de
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April 2006
Technical Papers
Inlet Air Cooling Methods for Gas Turbine Based Power Plants
E. Kakaras,
E. Kakaras
Associate Professor
Laboratory of Steam Boilers and Thermal Plants,
e-mail: ekak@central.ntua.gr
National Technical University of Athens
, Iroon Polytechniou 9, Athens 15780, Greece
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A. Doukelis,
A. Doukelis
Research Associate
Laboratory of Steam Boilers and Thermal Plants,
e-mail: adoukel@central.ntua.gr
National Technical University of Athens
, Iroon Polytechniou 9, Athens 15780, Greece
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A. Prelipceanu,
A. Prelipceanu
Process Engineer
Lehrstuhl für Thermische Kraftanlagen,
e-mail: alexander.prelipceanu@linde-le.com
Technische Universität München
, 85747 Garching, Germany
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S. Karellas
S. Karellas
Research Associate
Lehrstuhl für Thermische Kraftanlagen,
e-mail: karellas@ltk.mw.tum.de
Technische Universität München
, 85747 Garching, Germany
Search for other works by this author on:
E. Kakaras
Associate Professor
Laboratory of Steam Boilers and Thermal Plants,
National Technical University of Athens
, Iroon Polytechniou 9, Athens 15780, Greecee-mail: ekak@central.ntua.gr
A. Doukelis
Research Associate
Laboratory of Steam Boilers and Thermal Plants,
National Technical University of Athens
, Iroon Polytechniou 9, Athens 15780, Greecee-mail: adoukel@central.ntua.gr
A. Prelipceanu
Process Engineer
Lehrstuhl für Thermische Kraftanlagen,
Technische Universität München
, 85747 Garching, Germanye-mail: alexander.prelipceanu@linde-le.com
S. Karellas
Research Associate
Lehrstuhl für Thermische Kraftanlagen,
Technische Universität München
, 85747 Garching, Germanye-mail: karellas@ltk.mw.tum.de
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Apr 2006, 128(2): 312-317 (6 pages)
Published Online: September 23, 2005
Article history
Received:
July 15, 2004
Revised:
September 23, 2005
Citation
Kakaras, E., Doukelis, A., Prelipceanu, A., and Karellas, S. (September 23, 2005). "Inlet Air Cooling Methods for Gas Turbine Based Power Plants." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. April 2006; 128(2): 312–317. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2131888
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