GAS TURBINE FILTRATION

GAS TURBINE FILTRATION

Fitting the correct filter

to a gas turbine can

save money in terms of

availability, reliability,

power output efficiency

and heat rate loss.

But how do operators

evaluate and select a

filtration system that will

deliver what they need in

terms of performance and

budget?

By Engr Okoro Kingsley Toch

[email protected]

+2348068234367

For sponsorship/Consultation: kindly contact the above.

GAS TURBINE FILTRATION

On paper many filters may

seem to offer the same or

similar performance.

Standard filter ratings

are, however, based on

laboratory tests and

may not allow for the specific challenges a

particular gas turbine installation faces.

With intense time pressure, however, it is

often difficult for onsite personnel to evaluate

all the criteria they need to outside of what

the paper specification tells them. This can

be especially true in a competitive power

marketplace. As experienced personnel reach

retirement and are not replaced, the amount

of resources available on site reduces; adding

time pressure to every operation.

First of all, let’s take a look at why filters

are so critical to plant performance. If a filter

does not perform as it should, a site can face

a number of challenges in its efficiency and

profitability.

Turbines consume vast amounts of air

and the filter helps protect their performance

and reduce the need for maintenance

shutdowns. Fouling and corrosion caused by

airborne contaminants reaching the turbine

can significantly reduce turbine efficiency

and, in some cases, lead to complete turbine

shutdown.

Fine particles entering a turbine can stick

to turbine blades. As this fouling builds up, it

starts to affect the aerodynamic performance

of the turbine. This is seen in a reduction in

output power and rise in heat rate. To restore its

performance, a turbine will need to be taken

offline and washed to remove the particles.

Other contaminants may cause corrosion

or erosion of turbine parts, resulting in costly

repairs. Overall, the reduced turbine efficiency

and the lost production time when a turbine is

taken offline have large cost impacts in terms

of lost MW output.

Indeed, poor air filtration can account for

approximately 60-80 per cent of overall gas

turbine losses. Filtration systems should not

be treated as commodities. There is a bigger

picture to consider in terms of overall turbine

performance and health.

By Engr Okoro Kingsley Toch