OPERATIONAL ISSUES WITH GAS TURBINES INTAKE AIR FILTERS IN WATSON COGENERATION FACILITY

摘要

Intake air filtration is crucial in performance and reliability of combustion gas turbine situated in typical industrial environment such as large petrochemical plant, refinery and industrial plant. The air-born pollutants vary in size and composition and their arrestance is of fundamental value to the life expectancy of the turbine rotating and stationary elements. In addition, the air-born pollutants which pass the intake air filter elements tend to foul the axial compressor blades both stationary and rotating. The result of the particular fouling is the creation of an additional, parasitic load on the gas turbine, driver. A as result the heat rate of a gas turbine will increase and also the production of CO_2 will increase too. Watson Cogeneration Plant is located in a typical industrial environment, very close to the major freeway and to the Pacific Coast. This paper describes field experience accumulated during the last three years of continuous operation under the base load of one of the four gas turbines, GT Unit 92, furnished with advanced, HEPA Class 12 intake air filters. Intake air filters durability which plays more and more decisive role in gas turbine successful operation and maintenance is also discussed.