Turbine Inlet Cooling and Heating Coils

Advantages of Mechanical Turbine Inlet Cooling

Gas turbine mechnical cooling systems are used worldwide to improve power output. The power output of a gas turbine is inversely related to the inlet air temperature; as the inlet temperature increases the power output decreases. This characteristic creates less power thereby reducing output which in turn negatively affects the required performance. Turbine inlet cooling systems condition the incoming air to a lower temperature increasing air density and mass flow rate. The mechanical cooling process restores the performance of the turbine to its peak capacity regardless of the ambient temperature, humidity and availability of water.

Economic Benefits

The extent of the benefits realized vary with location of the turbine due to differences in ambient air temperature from one climate to another. The implementation of mechanical turbine inlet cooling provides the following benefits to the plant owner for maximizing revenue opportunities:

• Recovery of power output lost due to high temperatures regardless of relative humidity.
• Improvement in power generation achieved by cooling inlet air to less than or equal to 59˚F (ISO rating point)
• Recovered power negates the need for additional power generation support.

Insure Your System Against Expensive Repairs and Lost Revenue

Icing is a condition that can negatively affect the performance and damage a gas turbine. In cooler climates humid air may cause ice formations. If carried into the gas turbine intake, ice crystals could damage the turbines blades, leading to extensive downtime and costly repairs.

Leonardo DRS’ Marlo Heat Transfer Solutions has supplied heating coils for gas turbine inlet applications for many years. They have worked closely with many of the system suppliers as well as the OEM’s to create coils that meet the demands of these difficult environments, while providing the heat necessary to eliminate the risk of ice formation. Marlo Heat Transfer Solutions coils provide value through cost savings, system protection and optimum performance while minimizing air pressure drop penalties on the system.

In addition to anti-icing coils, Marlo Heat Transfer Solutions heating coils are used to increase the temperature of incoming turbine air which in turn increases the efficiency of your gas turbine in turn down operation when full capacity of the turbine is not required.  This has become more prevalent as more renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are brought online.  This trend is expected to continue to expand.

Similarly to the cooling heat exchangers, the heating coils are manufactured to the strictest quality standards. Years of experience at Marlo Heat Transfer Solutions have provided a coil design that is simplistic in its implementation without sacrificing key performance characteristics.