Perspectives of using syngas in gas turbine plants

Abstract

   RELEVANCE. The insufficiently wide scope of gas turbine plants (GTP) is associated with the lack of widespread availability of gas pipelines supplying the main fuel – natural gas. Interest in alternative fuels and the search for the most suitable ones in order to switch from traditional energy sources has increased intensively over time. Currently, there are methods of gasification of solid fuels that expand not only the possibilities of using the fuel itself, but also pushing the boundaries of the applicability of GTP both in terms of production specialization and geographical location. Coal is the most affordable energy resource in the world, due to its prevalence, but its limited use in modern energy facilities is due to the worldwide policy of decarbonization of energy. Coal gasification makes it possible to increase energy characteristics and reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere when using coal.   PURPOSE. Determination of the efficiency and expediency of using generator gas obtained from coal in gas turbine plant, as well as consideration of the possibility of its modernization.   METHODS. To achieve set goal, an automated system of gas dynamic calculations of energy turbomachines (AS GDCET) will be used, which will calculate a mathematical model of a gas turbine installation and conduct numerical studies when characteristics change, as well as using a module for approximating the component composition of fuel. The research is carried out when the electric load of a gas turbine plant of the NK-16-18 ST type changes in the range from 15 to 18 MW.   RESULTS. According to the results of the study, the dependences of the total hourly and specific fuel consumption, effective efficiency, temperature in the combustion chamber and at the outlet of the power turbine on changes in the electric load of the gas turbine installation were obtained. Having a lower calorific value, the expected synthesis gas reduces the electricalefficiency of the gas turbine engine, which is expressed in a decrease in efficiency by 3-4.5 %. At the same time, fuel consumption increases by about 4-5 times, which depends on the component composition of the fuel. At the same time, the temperature values at the exhaust of the gas turbine change by 26-37 °C.   CONCLUSION. The use of synthesis gas as fuel for a gas turbine plant can provide sufficient efficiency in generating electric energy, but its use is rational only in situations of absence or unavailability of traditional gaseous fuels. The development of gasification technologies will increase the efficiency of use and reduce the cost of synthesis gas production. This will allow the introduction of gasification technologies at existing facilities and expand the scope of synthesis gas applications, which will ensure increased interest in this area among potential investors.