Gas Turbine Inlet Bleed Heating

Operation of the gas turbine with reduced minimum IGV settings can be used to extend the Premix operating
region from 75%-Base load to 50%- Base load. Reducing the minimum IGV angle allows the combustor to
operate at a firing temperature high enough to support premix operation.

Inlet bleed heating, (IBH), through the use of recirculated compressor discharge airflow, is necessary when
operating with reduced IGV angles. Inlet heating protects the compressor from stall by relieving the discharge
pressure and by increasing the inlet air stream temperature.

The inlet bleed heat system regulates compressor discharge bleed flow through a control valve and into a
manifold located in the compressor inlet air stream. The control valve varies the inlet heating air flow as a
function of IGV angle. At minimum IGV angles the inlet bleed flow is controlled to a maximum of 5.0% of the
total compressor discharge flow. As the IGV's are opened at higher loads, the inlet bleed flow will
proportionally decrease until shut off. The IBH control valve is monitored for its ability to track the command
set point. If the valve command set point differs from the actual valve position by a prescribed amount for a
period of time, an alarm will annunciate to warn the operator. If the condition persist for an extended amount of
time, the inlet bleed heat system will be tripped and the IGV's minimum reference will be raised to the default
value.

The IBH system monitors the temperature rise in the compressor inlet airflow. This temperature rise serves as
an indication of bleed flow. Failure to detect a sufficient temperature rise in a set amount of time will cause the
inlet bleed heat system to be tripped and an alarm annunciated. See schematic diagram in bleed heating
system.
From Turbine Manual
Inlet bleed heating system
the inlet bleed heating system serves to keep the level of harmful NOx emissions below a certain
threshold, also when the machine is not working at full load. When the machine is working with
partial loads, it is possible to lower the NOx emissions by increasing the temperature of the air
admitted into the combustion chamber. This process takes place thanks to the inlet bleed heating
system, which admits hot air into the inlet duct.

The hot air is bled from the last stage (17th) of the axial compressor, sent via piping and modulated
by a relevant control valve, to a manifold located downstream of the filter house filters; this manifold
evenly distributes the hot air admitted into the inlet duct.

From Control.com
Question -what is the function of IBH. How does it operates according to the load and IGV angle? what
factors and conditions influence the IBH to operate during part and low loads?

Answer-1

I can give you a quick explanation of the operation of IBH as it relates to GE Heavy Duty gas Turbines, how it
operates on other manufacturers machines I can't say.

Simply, IBH is a way to decrease compressor efficiency and reduce mass flow through the compressor. Inlet
bleed heat(IBH) takes compressor discharge air and routes it back to the inlet of the compressor.
By taking compressor discharge air away from the combustion wrapper you reduce mass available to the
combustor. Also introducing this very hot air into the turbine inlet raises the temperature of the air and
decreases the efficiency of the compressor since warm dry air has less mass than cold damp air.

All of this is typically done to reduce mass flow through the compressor at low load conditions to help
control emissions. It also helps to decrease the formation of ice in cold climate areas, and lastly helps to
provide compressor protection at low loads, again by reducing the efficiency of the compressor.

Inlet bleed heat demand is typically a logrithmic function of IGV angle, although you would be advised to
review application code for the particular unit you are familiar with.

I hope this helps your understanding of IBH systems.

Answer-2

IBH is used in conjunction with modulated IGV to extend the pre-mixed steady state range. PMSS is the
preferable operating mode due to the lowest emissions.

To achieve PMSS the combustion firing temperature TTRF1 needs to be above a certain temperature.
Without IBH this occurs at about 80% load. With IBH/IGV modulation PMSS can be achieved at about near
50% load. Modulating or closing the IGV's at part load will reduce the airflow which will in turn lead to a
higher TTRF1/TTXM temperature. However lower airflow reduces the surge margin of the compressor. The
IBH valve is used to prevent a compressor surge. Also the lower IGV can lead to ice formation on the front
compressor stages. IBH flow is not that great and limited to 5% of total compressor flow. IBH position is also
linear relation ship versus IGV angle. At 42 IGV angle IBH is at maximum flow wth flow reducing to zero at 57,
i think,degrees IGV. On F class units the IBH is also used to provide 17th stage compressor protection as well.

Question

Good discussion. One topic related to this. We are operating 2 Frame6B DLN-1 machines with IBH (Inlet
Bleed Heat) for power generation. Is it economically viable for capacity enhancement using inlet air
cooling in a GT having IBH? Few agencies has approached in this regard. To me the principle is not logically
fitting. Inlet air is cooled to enhance capacity and IBH is heating it to maintain DLN. Can some one throw
some light in this?

Answer

I think you understand the concept correctly as far as IBH and inlet cooling for power augmentation.

IBH is used to decrease compressor mass flow. This allows for lower unit turndown, the ability to produce
lower power output, while still maintaining low emissions. Also as 309EGuy notes it affords some
compressor protection at lower loads as well.
Inlet cooling is typically installed to increase unit output by cooling the inlet air, allowing for more mass flow,
more fuel, and more power output. As your question goes there would be no reason to cool the inlet air if
the unit was operating at anything less than maximum output (baseload). Typically the inlet cooling system is
interlocked so that is not active unless the unit is operating near baseload and or the IGV's at full open
position.

In many parts of the world the gas turbines in service are always operating at baseload. The areas typically
need all the power available, and also that is the most efficient way to run the gas turbine.

In other parts of the world power companies need units that can "swing" or change load quickly, and often.
Typically these units are working in conjunction with large wind or photovoltaic systems that have output
that is not consistent (wind stops or clouds cover photovoltaic panels). Here it is important and valuable to
have a unit that can operate in low emissions mode over a large area of output. For instance a GE Frame 7EA
can "swing" from approximately 84MW to 40MW and still maintain low emissions. As I am sure you
understand this is needed to maintain proper grid frequency, since large coal plants and large nuclear plants
don't "swing" well.

So I hope that helps you understanding for the need of IBH and inlet cooling. Both systems have value and a
purpose, but may not always be used in all parts of the world.