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The Gas Turbine Solution
The Gas Turbine Solution
The Gas Turbine Solution
Gas turbines play a very significant role in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Gas turbines are both more efficient and typically burn lower carbon fuels compared to other types of combustion-based power generation and mechanical drive applications. Gas turbines are found in a wide variety of applications and are available in a wide range of sizes. As climate change initiatives and regulations continue to evolve, so do the potential applications and markets for gas turbines.
Turbine Fuels
Natural Gas Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Associated Gas Landfill Gas Digester Gas Refinery Gas Coke Oven Gas Blast Furnace Gas Propane Ethanol Methanol Naphtha #2 Fuel Oil Kerosene Bio Diesel
Efficiency Is Key
CO2 Emissions
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Natural Natural Gas Gas Turbine Turbine Combined Combined Cycle Heat & Power
Gas turbines can reach combined cycle efficiencies of 60%, and quick-start simple cycle peaking units can reach 46%. The gas turbines clean exhaust can be used to create hot water, steam, or even chilled water. In such combined heat and power applications, overall system efficiency levels can reach 60 to 85% (on an LHV basis). This compares to 40-45% for even the most advanced thermal steam cycles (most of which are coal fired).
Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels produces CO2 emissions. This is true regardless of the type of 0 thermodynamic cycle or engine that burns the fuel or what its efficiency might be. However, all fuels are not created equal. Fuels that contain a higher proportion of carbon produce more carbon dioxide. Natural Gas is the most common gas turbine fuel today. Composed of primarily methane (CH4), it contains the least amount of carbon of any currently viable fuel. Liquid distillate fuels (CnH2n) also have favorable carbon contents.
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Additional Benefits
Reduced emissions of CO2 are not the only environmental benefit provided by gas turbines. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOX), oxides of sulfur (SOX), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM2.5) from gas turbines are at fractional levels of other combustion-based methods of power generation and mechanical drive applications.