Operation of Combustion Turbines on Alternate Fuel Oils

Abstract

In recent years there has been an increased interest in the burning of ash forming liquid fuel oils including applications where fuel treatment is required. The final decision of fuel type to use depends on several economic factors. These include the delivered price, cost of fuel treatment, cost of modifying the fuel handling system, and the increased maintenance costs associated with the grade of fuel. The ultimate decision on the burning of any fuel, including those fuel oils which require treatment is generally an economic choice, rather than a technical choice. There is however a broad end user lack of knowledge and understanding of the implications of burning ash forming liquid fuel oils. There is only limited documentation available detailing the considerations required to allow the upper and lower economic factors to be bounded. It has been demonstrated that with careful attention to the fuel treatment process and the handling and operating practices, combustion turbines can, within certain limitations, successfully burn a wide range of liquid fuels.

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