Study of Using Exhaust Gas Recirculation on a Gas Turbine for Carbon Capture

Abstract

Abstract The growing call of minimizing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitting from energy and transportation products will spur innovation to meet new stringent requirements while striving to preserve significant investments in the current infrastructure. This paper presents quantitative analysis of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on industrial gas turbines to enable carbon sequestration venturing towards emission free operation. This study will show the effect of using EGR on gas turbine performance and operation, combustion characteristics, and demonstrate potential hybrid solutions with detailed constituent accounting. Both single shaft and two shaft gas turbines for power generation and mechanically driven equipment are considered for application of this technology. One key element is assessing the combustion system operating at reduced O2 levels within the industrial gas turbine. With the gas turbine behavior operating with EGR defined at a reasonable operating state, a parametric study shows rates of CO2 sequestration along with quantifying supplemental O2 required at the inlet, if needed, to sustain combustion. With rates of capture known, a further exploration is examined reviewing potential utilities, monetizing these sequestered constituents. Ultimately, the objective is to preview a potential future of operating industrial gas turbines in a non-emissive and in some cases carbon negative manner while still using hydrocarbon fuel.