Low Emissions Combustion System Development for the GE Energy High Hydrogen Turbine Program

Abstract

Progress on the joint GE Energy/US Department of Energy (DOE) High Hydrogen Turbine Program is presented. A summary of GE’s current integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) experience is provided. The Phase I approach is discussed with selected results included. The program follows the well-established GE approach to introducing new technology through: fundamental laboratory testing and analysis; subscale demonstration; full-scale development; full-scale verification. Advancements towards the ultimate goal of ultralow NOx emissions with coal derived pre-combustion carbon capture fuels are presented. Feasibility of diluent-free low NOx combustion is demonstrated experimentally at gas turbine conditions with representative fuel compositions. Phase II design challenges are highlighted within the framework of Phase I results.

Pre-combustion CO2 capture from natural gas power plants, with ATR and MDEA processes

“…The aim of the present study is to assess the performance of an ATR-based power plant assuming state-of-the-art technologies and an optimized configuration. Since the arrangement of the reforming section and the technology level of the combined cycle are the most relevant issues affecting the plant efficiency, an advanced two steps reforming configuration was considered as the one presented by Aasberg-Petersen et al (2001) and Dybkjaer et al (2005) and to the most advanced gas turbine applicable to syngas operation, notably a FB class machine commercially available for IGCC application since 2004 (GE Energy website, 2010;Geosits and Schmoe, 2005;Lacy et al, 2008;Bradley and Fadok, 2009). Nevertheless the influence of more conservative alternatives optionally due to reliability or economic reasons has been investigated.…”

Laminar flame speed correlations for pure-hydrogen and high-hydrogen content syngas blends with various diluents

“…Additionally, stringent NO x emission standards and the focus on carbon-free operation have provided momentum in the design of modern, premixed combustors which utilize high-hydrogen content fuels [2]. The wide flammability limits ranging from 0.1 to 7.1 in equivalence ratio (fuel-to-air) and the high flame speeds at extremely fuel-lean conditions make hydrogen an attractive fuel option [3].…”

Fuel Flexible Turbine System (FFTS) Program

“…Some work with regard to the operation of premixed systems on high hydrogen content fuels has also been carried out (Minakawa, Miyajima et al 1997;Farina, Perry et al 2009;Perry, Farina et al 2009;Therkelsen, Werts et al 2009). General Electric and Siemens researchers have also investigated premixed combustion systems for operation of gas turbines on high hydrogen content fuels (Lacy, Ziminsky et al 2008;Bradley and Fadok 2009). …”