rich LNG fired in gas turbine- NO2 increase

[davefitz]

We have several large combustion gas turbines located in Florida, USA. The gas pipeline company indicates that the source of gas will shift to imported rich LNG in 2007-2008. The new fuel gas will have 1.2% butane and 2.75% propane.

According to technical papers based on lab tests of model combustors, the increase in butane and propane will increase the exhaust levels of CO and unburned hydrocarbons, and these unburned hydrocarbons will form radicals HO2 and O which will oxidize NO to NO2. However, I am not able to find any reports of actual field test data from operating gas turbines that burn rich LNG.

Can anyone advise if they have access to test data of gas turbines that burn rich LNG ( Japan, Korea, Spain), if so, what is the expected increase in exhaust NO2 levels?

If the NO2 level exceeds 13 ppm in a simple cycle turibne, the exhaust will exhibit a visible "yellow plume". If the ratio of NO2/NO exceeds 1:1, then the SCR performance will suffer.

 

[orenda1168]

Davefitz:

I'd be rather surprised if the turbine vendor (I presume either GE or P&W) couldn't provide the operating field data you're looking for.

Orenda

 

[davefitz]

They will not provide the data. I had heard from SW that their 50 ppm class Nox machines in Korea exhibit a brown plume when firing LNG and the exhaust NO2 exceeds 13 ppm. They then later indicated that their US units ( 25 ppm class Nox machines) will not have a high enough NO2 for a brown plume, and the NO2 levels should not increase by more than 2 ppm over the levels when firing domestic nat gas.

GE alluded to the possibility that the NO2 would increase at part loads, but no other iformantion is available at this time.

 

[oxilume]

Davefitz,

I may have a solution for your NOx problem.

See a picture of the WhirlArc at

http://www.oxilume.com

Todd

http://www.oxilume.com