This paper describes continued efforts, spanning over number of years at the Watson Cogeneration plant located in Carson California, to improve the intake air cooling system in enhancing power output and performance of the four existing heavy-duty GE 7EA gas turbines. In early 2010, a decision was made to remove the media-type evaporative cooling system from one of the GT units (Unit #4) and rely completely on the high pressure fogging system to cool the compressor inlet air for power augmentation. The reasons and the efforts made for modifying the intake air system are elaborated in this paper including discussion on the results obtained due to implemented changes. Steam turbine condensate at 49 °C is utilized as the fogging water in contrast to the commonly used demineralized water at the ambient conditions. A discussion on the implication of using high temperature fog water is included here.
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