GAS TURBINE & RECIPROCATING ENGINE

DECISIONS UPDATE

 

November 2017

 

Table of Contents

 

Industry News

 

HRSG Users Group News

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Industry News

FERCo has Tools to optimize GTCC NOx Reduction

FERCo has developed tools for optimization and diagnostic purposes, including instrumentation and methodologies for 1) tuning the ammonia injection grid (AIG), 2) measuring the NH3/NOx and velocity distribution at the catalyst face, 3) identifying flue gas bypass, and 4) monitoring catalyst activity in situ. These tools are applicable to SCR systems ranging from gas turbines to coal-fired power plants.

One of the most important SCR operating parameters is the NH3/NOx distribution across the catalyst surface. For overall NOx reductions of 90% or more, the NH3/NOx distribution becomes extremely important.  The maldistribution is characterized the RMS. If lower NOx reductions are required, a much larger NH3/NOx maldistribution (RMS) can be tolerated. 

The emphasis on achieving uniform NH3/NOx ratios across the catalyst points to the importance of the ammonia injection grid (AIG) as part of the SCR system.  AIGs should be designed with the flexibility to bias ammonia flow in multiple zones across both dimensions of the duct even when static mixers are utilized.  Although ductwork design is optimized to achieve a uniform velocity distribution at the AIG inlet, the actual NOx distribution may not be uniform due to the unit’s boiler and combustion system design and overall operating characteristics. 

FERCo has been actively involved in tuning SCR systems and has developed an approach using instrumentation and techniques that allow the NH3/NOx distribution to be measured by making only NOx measurements at the catalyst exit. 

AMP Cherokee combines CEMS with PEMS to provide Unique Combinations of Predictions and Measurements

CEMS/PEMS Hybrid systems feature the DAS ProLogix software and an HMI interface. Monitor multiple sources through CEMS and/or PEMS systems via DAS ProLogix for analysis and reporting.

http://www.ampcherokee.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/CEMS_PEMS_Hybrid.jpg

 

Emerson to retrofit Gas Turbine Controls at Engie Plant

Emerson has won a contract to retrofit controls on two Alstom turbines at Engie’s DK6 combined-cycle power plant (pictured) in Dunkirk, France.

The existing controls on the GT13 turbines at the 800 MW plant are obsolete and no longer supported by Alstom, Emerson said, adding that the project marks the first time a vendor other than the turbine OEM has been selected to retrofit GT13 combustion turbine controls. The scope of work includes dismantling the existing controls, engineering and installing the new controls, and assisting with commissioning and startup.

 

The new controls are planned to be installed at each unit during a 13-day outage, a compressed timeframe for a turbine controls replacement project according to Emerson.

 

The first retrofitted power block is expected to be back online in September 2018, and the second in July 2019.

 

The technology “uses the same hardware and software platform for turbine control as it uses for other plant controls, such as heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), burner management systems, generator excitation and high-fidelity embedded simulation. This single platform architecture significantly reduces O&M automation-related expenses and simplifies lifecycle management and planning. 

 

Pre–cleaning of HRSG Tubes often not sufficient

 

When Startup teams conduct overall-plant efficiency testing of new combined-cycle projects, they often overlook one of the necessary correction factors.

 

When they’re looking within the system boundary of the overall plant, the Startup team typically does a thorough job—closely monitoring, and correcting for such gas-turbine variables as firing temperature, ambient temperature, ambient humidity and elevation. When they’re looking within the system boundary of the GT, however, some Startup teams don’t do as thorough of a job. Specifically, they don’t always monitor, and correct for tube fouling in the heat-recovery steam generator (HRSG), because they assume that a brand-new HRSG isn’t going to have any significant fouling.

 

But experience in the HRSG User’s Group—the combined-cycle industry’s original and longest-running user group—proves otherwise.

 

According to Rob Swanecamp experience shows that even newly erected HRSGs without a single operating hour can have one to two inches, water column, of tube fouling. That’s what Swanecamp calls “the missing link” in combined-cycle efficiency calculations. Contamination starts depositing on HRSG tubes starts all the way back during initial fabrication, because the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) aren’t meticulous enough in their shop procedures. Even more contamination deposits on the HRSG tubes occurs during their trek from the OEM’s shop to the project site.

 

Once it’s off-loaded at the project site, the HRSG gets stored outdoors and exposed to the elements—often for as long as a year because of construction delays or contractual conflicts.

Storing the HRSG anywhere other than in an indoor, climate-controlled facility causes most of the tube fouling in a pre-operational HRSG—some 70 to 80 percent of it.

 

The conclusion is that HRSG tube cleaning needs to be thorough.

 

HRSG Users Group News

 

HRSG Users Group 26th Conference slated for Feb 12-14, 2018

 

The HRSG User's Group Conference & Expo is the original and world's largest gathering of HRSG users. Now in its 26th year, the conference draws over 1,500 attendees from across North America, Europe and Asia who work together to discuss and solve the tougher problems in their plants.

For details, click on the link below, or if you have questions–contact Rob Swanekamp at Rob@hrsgusers.org or call (406) 582-8655

https://www.hrsgusers.org/conference

 

The following articles are highlighting the activities of HRSG Users Group platinum sponsors.

 

EAI will be discussing Specialized Cleaning

http://eai-inc.com/images/HRSG_diagram.jpgEnvironmental Alternatives, Inc. (EAI) provides specialized cleaning services to the gas turbine industry.  EAI is credited with introducing the CO2 cleaning process to the gas turbine market in 1993. Over the past 20 years, EAI has cleaned hundreds of HRSGs and services customers all over the United States and overseas in more than 10 countries around the globe.

For simple cycle and combined-cycle power plants, cleaning services allow plant operators to maintain peak performance for heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), combustion turbine (CT) compressors, steam turbines, and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems, and catalysts.

 Haldor Topsoe’s DeNOx Business purchased by Umicore

Haldor Topsoe’s stationary and mobile DeNOx business is being purchased by Umicore. The closing date is currently set for November 30, 2017. Wayne Jones Business Development Manager | SCR/DeNOx Catalyst and Technology is available and reachable on his cell phone at 281-684-8811.  His new email address will be wayne.jones@am.umicore.com

Umicore will acquire the heavy-duty diesel and stationary catalyst businesses of Haldor Topsoe for an enterprise value of DKK 900 million (approx. EUR 120 million) plus an earn-out.

Haldor Topsoe is a leading producer of high performance catalysts for a wide range of industries. Its automotive catalysts are used in emission systems for on-road and non-road heavy-duty diesel applications and ensure compliance with the most stringent emission norms, including Euro VI. Its stationary business offers catalytic solutions to treat NOx emissions from industrial sources such as gas-fired power plants as well as marine applications. The businesses currently employ some 280 people, serve customers from production plants in Frederikssund (Denmark), Houston (Texas), Tianjin (China) and Joinville (Brazil) and has R&D facilities in Lyngby (Denmark). 

Through this acquisition Umicore will gain access to an extended customer base, particularly in Europe and China, a broader product portfolio for heavy-duty diesel applications, as well as additional IP and technology in the field of emission control catalysis. It also provides Umicore with an entry into the stationary emission control segment. The combined businesses will continue to focus on innovation to stay at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies and products for its customers.

Pascal Reymondet, Executive Vice-President Catalysis, said: “The business is highly complementary with Umicore, particularly through its focus on cutting edge technology, operational excellence and sustainability. We are looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues to Umicore. The combination of expertise, talent and technology will enable us to further support our customers with an even broader product and service offering.”

Crane Pacific Forged Pressure Seal Valves used in a Variety of GTCC Applications


Crane Pacific Forged Pressure Seal Valves were designed specifically to meet all the challenges of the rapid cycling gas turbine combined cycle plants they were specifically designed to last in the worst cyclic conditions of today’s, and tomorrow’s, thermal power applications.
 
Key Applications

·         Drums (HP, IP, LP)

·         Superheater (HP, IP, LP)

·         Reheater

·         Steam Turbine

·         Feed Water Distribution

·         Economizers (HP, LP, IP)

 

what-is-pressure-seal.jpgWhat is a pressure seal? It is a valve that actually seals better the more pressure that is applied.  Pressure Seal bonnet design valves do this by utilizing system pressure to force the bonnet into the gasket and sealing ring, creating a leak tight seal – the higher the pressure, the tighter the seal.


This design makes Pressure Seal valves safer to operate at higher temperature and pressures than bolted bonnet designs.


Pacific pressure seal valves are designed and manufactured to strict requirements in order to prevent external leakage. The stuffing box and stem surface finishes are tightly controlled, including strict controls of concentricity of diametrical dimensions between stem and gland, stem and backseat, and gland and stuffing box. Quality materials and strict Crane assembly procedures assure consistent sealing in the stem packing area.


Standard packing set construction includes two high-density molded style flexible graphite end rings with Inconel reinforcement, and three (center) density-controlled die molded sealing rings.

 

 

Mogas contends that Ball Valves have advantages for GTCC Applications

Gate and globe valves are multi-turn, torque seated valves that must seal against line pressure. The MOGAS iRSVP is a quarter-turn, position seated ball valve that utilizes pressure assisted sealing. Since drain valves remain open during start-up and shut-down, gate and globe valves can experience rapid erosion and wear due to primary sealing components being in the flow path of high pressure steam. The MOGAS iRSVP offers a straight-through bore path and protects the sealing components from the flow path. There are lots of GTCC applications.

 

Process flow diagram showing a typical combined cycle power plant.

 

A – Feedwater System

B – HRSG

C – HP Turbine Steam Supply and Extraction Systems

D – IP & LP Turbine Steam Supply and Extraction Systems

Chemtreat solves Corrosion Problem at Peaking Plant

A Northeastern power plant was experiencing difficulty determining the effectiveness of their boiler treatment program. The 225 MW combined cycle power plant only operates at peak times of the year, specifically when electricity demands were high during the hot summers and cold winters. The boiler system consisted of two gas turbines and two HRSG units. Each HRSG had an HP drum that produced 240K#/hr. of stream at 1,450 psig. The condensate return was close to 90% when one unit was online, but dropped to 50-60% with both units online. Intermittent operations posed a challenge for this system, because as the boilers sat idle, they were subject to oxygen attack. To address this corrosion issue, the plant fed a filming amine treatment to provide additional protection during times of shut down. However, without a means to monitor and control feed, performance of the treatment was difficult to determine without a physical inspection. During one instance of a startup, a level transmitter was plugged up with iron, which indicated that the treatment was not working very well.

TITAN360™ was a perfect candidate for this intermittently operating boiler with a high condensate return of 50-60%. The superior filming amine in TITAN360™ was expected to provide better corrosion inhibition, which would decrease iron throw during times of startup. In addition, TITAN360™ would offer buffering action to keep the pH of the system consistent. With the TITAN360™ test kit, proper dosage could be measured and monitored with ease.

Within a few weeks, TITAN360™ began to dramatically decrease iron levels and easily stabilize the pH of the system to 9.0 - 9.6 without additional intervention. Additionally, with the simple test kit, the operators were able to consistently maintain and measure a residual. This was a considerable improvement over the previous treatment, which lacked the means of monitoring the proper dosage. The presence of residual or “free” filming amine with TITAN360™ indicated there was sufficient protection of the metal surface.

 

 

McIlvaine Company

Northfield, IL 60093-2743

Tel:  847-784-0012; Fax:  847-784-0061

E-mail:  editor@mcilvainecompany.com

Web site:  www.mcilvainecompany.com