Set up and Operation of a Recirculating Wetted Rigid Media Evaporative Cooler Installed in a Gas Turbine Combustion Inlet Air System

Abstract

A procedure for setting up and operating a recirculating evaporative cooler installed in the combustion air inlet system of a gas turbine is described. The procedure includes a recommendation for selecting the ambient operating wet and dry bulb temperatures. A description of the parameters used in the procedure and calculation methods are shown. In response to frequent inquiries about the rate at which water hardness (and elemental concentrations) increases with time, an equation to evaluate this increase with time is introduced. The time rate of change of water hardness and elemental concentrations for various blow-down rates and operating times are also evaluated.