This article explains how combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants can help in reducing greenhouse gas from the atmosphere. In the last 25 years, the development and deployment of CCGT power plants represent a technology breakthrough in efficient energy conversion, and in the reduction of greenhouse gas production. Existing gas turbine CCGT technology can provide a reliable, on-demand electrical power at a reasonable cost along with a minimum of greenhouse gas production. Natural gas, composed mostly of methane, is a hydrocarbon fuel used by CCGT power plants. Methane has the highest heating value per unit mass of any of the hydrocarbon fuels. It is the most environmentally benign of fuels, with impurities such as sulfur removed before it enters the pipeline. If a significant portion of coal-fired Rankine cycle plants are replaced by the latest natural gas-fired CCGT power plants, anthropogenic carbon dioxide released into the earth’s atmosphere would be greatly reduced.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
December 2015
Select Article
Gas Turbines - Major Greenhouse Gas Inhibitors
Lee S. Langston
Lee S. Langston
Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut
Search for other works by this author on:
Lee S. Langston
Professor Emeritus, Mechanical Engineering, University of Connecticut
Mechanical Engineering. Dec 2015, 137(12): 54-55 (2 pages)
Published Online: December 1, 2015
Citation
Langston, L. S. (December 1, 2015). "Gas Turbines - Major Greenhouse Gas Inhibitors." ASME. Mechanical Engineering. December 2015; 137(12): 54–55. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2015-Nov-5
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
New “Flies” Around the Landfill
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Below and Beyond
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Hidden Infrastructure for the New Energy Economy
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Autonomous Freight Takes to the Rail, Road, Sea, and Air
Mechanical Engineering (September 2024)
Related Articles
Advanced Hot Gas Cleaning System for Coal Gasification Processes
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (April,1994)
Global What? Control Possibilities of CO 2 and Other Greenhouse Gases
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (July,1991)
Analysis of Gas-Steam Combined Cycles With Natural Gas Reforming and CO 2 Capture
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (July,2005)
Gas Turbine Cycles With Solid Oxide Fuel Cells—Part I: Improved Gas Turbine Power Plant Efficiency by Use of Recycled Exhaust Gases and Fuel Cell Technology
J. Energy Resour. Technol (December,1994)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Combined Cycle Power Plant
Energy and Power Generation Handbook: Established and Emerging Technologies
Conclusions
Clean and Efficient Coal-Fired Power Plants: Development Toward Advanced Technologies
Introduction
Consensus on Operating Practices for Control of Water and Steam Chemistry in Combined Cycle and Cogeneration