Gas turbine burning gasoline? 1

[21121956]

Hello everybody:

In our power plant we have installed a GE LM6000 gas turbine that burns distillate Nº 2 (Diesel fuel oil). Because of the fuel prices, some people think in the possibility to make a change with the fuel, burning gasoline (or Kerosine I think) instead of the expensive Diesel.

I would like to read about that possibility, about the modifications that will be needed to achieve, the benefits and downsides, etc. I would like to have access to papers or any other printed information regarding with this subject. Simultaneously, we will get in contact with the turbine manufacturer, in order to get their opinion.

As always, any comments from you are welcome as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[rmw]

Do you mean gasoline or kerosene? They are close but not equal. Remember that the jet engine that is at the heart of the LM-6000 was originally designed to burn jet fuel which is more similar to kerosene than gasoline.

I have not head of any aeroderivative turbines that burn anything as light as gasoline. Only the jet engine manufacturer can tell you if they have the specific burner equipment to burn gasoline.

Frankly, I doubt it.

rmw

 

[j79guy]

The GE LM6000 units are significantly more reliable, and have a longer overhaul interval using natural gas fuels. My first recommendation would be to investigate if NG fuel is available. On our test cell, we run our LM engines on vapourised propane, which again is an excellent fuel for these engines. For an aeroderivitive turbine unit of this class, an appropriately sized vapouriser would be required, adding to the plant complexity, however, this potentially would be offset by the reduced fuel price/extended core engine life. Recommendation No.2, Propane fuel. Third recommendation, if the exhaust heat is currently being wasted, the fitment of a HRSG, with the steam re-introduced into the core engine turbine section, can result in significant fuel savings.
rmw is correct, the primary fuel that the LM6000 core engine was developed for, was Jet-A, which very close in formulation to kerosene. (Core engine was developed from the commercial aircraft CF6-80 engine.) Therefore, option No.4 may be the use of kerosene. (Engine life/output will be the same, or slightly better than distillate.)
There are many options available. A bit more detail as to your particular application would help.

j79guy

 

[abeltio]

The OEM will certainly be of help.

There is something about fuel flexibility here:

http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/tech_docs/en/downloads/ger3695e.pdf

saludos.
a.

 

[MJCronin]

To all...

I seem to recall that some GE gas turbines have been outfitted to run on naptha. This application is usually in the third world with India having the most plants fired on naptha

In some plants, natural gas is the primary fuel while liquid naphtha functions as the main backup fuel

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070908030543AA0juAg

http://www.iran-daily.com/1385/2547/pdf/i8.pdf

http://www.geae.com/aboutgeae/presscenter/marine/marine_19990805.html

-MJC

 

[ScottyUK]

Our MW-701DA's are naphtha-capable. They are reasonably ok if they actually get across on to naphtha, having initially lit on gas fuel. Nozzle blockages are fairly common though, and emissions are higher on naphtha. The chemical soup that is supplied to us as 'naphtha' is pretty variable in composition - some brews burn better than others. Whether burning naphtha in a frame machine helps with burning gasoline in an aero-derivative I'm not sure.

MJCronin,

You ain't the first person to refer to Middlesbrough as 'third world'.


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If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[Feric]

Hi there:

I would suggest that you check with the manufacturer first.

Any wrong move could end up as a very expensive mistake.

On HHV values basis when looking at the fuel options, there are some difference ... However, fuel consumption for the given air mass flow rate is pretty much the same for the given operating conditions ...

Please be careful when considering to switch working fuels -- make sure the manufacture can provide some approval and guidance ...

Thanks,

Gordan

http://engware.i-dentity.com

 

[ccfowler]

Are you planning to build full additional fuel handling & switching facilities, or are you considering just mixing the gasoline/kerosene into the same fuel tank(s)?

I know this sounds crazy, but I've known people to suggest this technique as a simple and inexpensive way to cut costs--IT ISN'T! In the case where the mixing suggestion was made, the fuels were kerosene to be mixed into #2 fuel oil (essentially #2 diesel), and the somewhat casual suggestion was based on a potential one-time cheap spot purchase. Wiser heads quickly prevailed, and that blunder didn't happen.