Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method is provided to ensure that a combustion turbine power generation system may operate at maximum allowable power at elevated ambient temperature and/or at low air density. The method includes providing at least one combustion turbine assembly including a compressor, an expansion turbine operatively associated with the compressor, an upgraded generator coupled with the expansion turbine; a combustor feeding the expansion turbine; flow path structure fluidly connecting an outlet of the compressor to an inlet of the combustor; a compressed air storage; a charging compressor for charging the air storage; charging structure fluidly connecting an outlet of the charging compressor with an inlet to the air storage; connection structure fluidly connecting an outlet of the air storage to an inlet of the combustor; and valve structure associated with the connection structure and the charging structure to control flow through the connection structure and the charging structure, respectively. The valve structure is controlled to selectively permit one of the following modes of operation: (1) a combustion turbine mode of operation wherein air compressed from the compressor moves through the flow path structure to the combustor feeding the expansion turbine such that the expansion turbine drives the generator, (2) a compressed air augmentation mode of operation wherein compressed air from the air storage is supplied through the connection structure to the combustor in addition to the compressed air passing through the flow path structure to the combustor, which increases mass flow of compressed air and gas to the expansion turbine and thus permits the upgraded generator to provide an increased power due to the additional compressed air suppled to the expansion turbine, and (3) an air storage charging mode of operation wherein compressed air from the charging compressor moves through the charging structure to charge the air storage.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim