Duct Burners

Excess air in the gas turbine exhaust allows the combustion of additional fuel via supplemental
firing in the HRSG.   By producing higher gas temperatures due to combustion, supplemental
firing increases steam production.   The amount of increased steam production will vary
depending on the degree of fuel input in the burners and the supplemental firing requirement. 
Some burners are available only to counter GT degradation at high ambient temperatures; others
are intended to generate significant quantities of additional steam, thereby providing the
capability for significant additional power output or export steam production.  

There are two main types of duct burners:

 “Standard”(typically round) gas burners 

 Linear grid type burners

Standard burners are sometimes mounted in the HRSG walls, particularly in smaller HRSGs, but
are more usually mounted in the gas stream.  Most often, combined cycle plants use the linear
(grid) burners that span the duct.   These provide even heating of the gas stream [1]. Burner
elements are generally located either in the transition duct between the GT exhaust  and the lead
row of the HRSG or inter-stage upstream of the initial superheat or reheat assemblies. 

Duct burners in HRSGs

December 25, 2019

TMI Staff & Contributors

Natcom duct burner[/caption]

Duct burner is a unique tool that expands the operating range of HRSGs. Renewable
technologies can be integrated with duct burners for an uninterrupted power or steam
supply.

At Power Gen International 2019, Greg Kaup, director for product and process development
at Cleaver Brooks gave a presentation on duct burners. Below are some excerpts.
In power plants, duct burner quickly restores steam supply to the HRSG when one of two
CTG/HRSG blocks trip. In a process plant, it maintains the required steam production while
reducing power generation (part load firing). In plants with solar and fossil power
generation, a duct burner will restore production when solar power is lost.

Two firing modes are there. Fresh air firing allows steam generation when combustion
turbine is off line. Exhaust flow distribution devices are required. Forced draft or induced
draft fan with 75% to 100% capacity are required. On the fly switchover is possible and seal
air dampers help isolate combustion turbine and fan.
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Augmenting air firing extends firing capacity at low oxygen level in CT exhaust. It is often
required for the second burner in a double burner HRSG. This firing reduces HRSG
efficiency. In peaking plants, the steam generation is double in 5 to 10 minutes. Duct burner
can be added to account for CTG and HRSG degradation.

Firing Temperature: Low ≤ 1250°F. Medium ≤ 1450°F. High - 1450°F to 1600°F

In natural gas combustion, flame length is 6’ to 8’ and firing chamber length is 14’ to 16’.
Turndown ratio is 10 to 1 overall or per runner.

In liquid fuel or dual fuel combustion, 20’ flame length and 26’ firing chamber length.
Turndown ratio is 3 to 1.

As far as emission performance is concerned, NOx emissions on a lb/MMBTU basis vary

slightly with firing rate. CO emissions on a lb/MMBTU increase as firing rate decreases. On
a lb/hr they stay relatively constant. Emissions at turndown are only guaranteed on a lb/hr
basis.