SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO EXTEND GAS TURBINE HOT GAS PATH COMPONENT LIFE WITH SUPERCHARGED AIR FLOW BYPASS

• Main Authors: DALE J DAVIS, HARTMAN STEVEN, EKANAYAKE SANJI, SCIPIO ALSTON ILFORD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 14.08.2014
• Subjects: AIR INTAKES FOR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; BLASTING; COMBUSTION APPARATUS; COMBUSTION ENGINES; COMBUSTION PROCESSES; CONTROLLING FUEL SUPPLY IN AIR-BREATHING JET-PROPULSION PLANTS; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; GAS-TURBINE PLANTS; GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGHVELOCITY, e.g. GAS-TURBINE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS; HEATING; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAMTURBINES; STEAM BOILERS; STEAM ENGINES; STEAM GENERATION; WEAPONS

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide systems and methods to extend the gas turbine hot gas path component life with a supercharged air flow bypass.SOLUTION: A system and method for supercharging a combined cycle system includes a forced draft fan providing a variable air flow. At least a first portion of the air flow is directed to a compressor and a second portion of the airflow is directed to a heat recovery steam generator. A control system controls the airflows provided to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator. The system allows a combined cycle system to be operated at a desired operating state, balancing the cycle efficiency and the component life, by controlling the flow of air from the forced draft fan to the compressor and the heat recovery steam generator.