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Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy (AMIE) demonstration project leverages rapid innovation through additive manufacturing to connect a natural-gas-powered hybrid electric vehicle to a high-performance building designed to produce, consume, and store renewable energy. The AMIE demonstration project consists of a building and vehicle that were additively manufactured (3D-printed) using the laboratory’s big area additive manufacturing (BAAM) capabilities and an integrated energy system with smart controls that connects the two via wireless power transfer. The printed utility vehicle features a hybrid electric powertrain with onboard power generation from a natural gas fueled auxiliary power unit (APU). The APU extends vehicle range through a series hybrid powertrain configuration that recharges the vehicle’s lithium-ion energy storage system and acts as a mobile power generation system for the printed building. The development of the powertrain used for the printed range-extended electric vehicle was completed using a powertrain-in-the-loop development process and the vehicle prototype implementation was accelerated using BAAM. A flexible 3.2 kW solar photovoltaic system paired with electric vehicle batteries will provide renewable power generation and storage. Energy flows back and forth between the car and house using fast, efficient bidirectional wireless power transfer. The AMIE project marked the first demonstration of bidirectional level 2 charging through wireless power transfer. The accelerated creation and printing of the car and house will further demonstrate the program’s function as an applied science tool to get products to market more quickly than what currently is possible with traditional manufacturing. This paper presents a case study that summarizes the efforts and technical details for using the printed research platforms. This paper explores the focuses on printing of the vehicle, powertrain integration, and possibilities for vehicles providing power to buildings in different scenarios. The ability for BAAM to accelerate the prototype development for the integrated energy system process is explored. Details of how this was successfully accomplished in 9 months with more than 20 industry partners are discussed.

Wave energy converters (WECs) are commonly designed and analyzed using numerical models that combine multibody dynamics with hydrodynamic models based on the Cummins equation and linearized hydrodynamic coefficients. These modeling methods are attractive design tools because they are computationally inexpensive and do not require the use of high-performance computing resources necessitated by high-fidelity methods, such as Navier-Stokes computational fluid dynamics. Modeling hydrodynamics using linear coefficients assumes that the device undergoes small motions and that the wetted surface area of the devices is approximately constant. WEC devices, however, are typically designed to undergo large motions to maximize power extraction, calling into question the validity of assuming that linear hydrodynamic models accurately capture the relevant fluid-structure interactions. In this paper, we study how calculating buoyancy and Froude-Krylov forces from the instantaneous position of a WEC device changes WEC simulation results compared to simulations that use linear hydrodynamic coefficients. First, we describe the WEC-Sim tool used to perform simulations and how the ability to model instantaneous forces was incorporated into WEC-Sim. We then use a simplified one-body WEC device to validate the model and to demonstrate how accounting for these instantaneously calculated forces affects the accuracy of simulation results, such as device motions, hydrodynamic forces, and power generation. Other aspects of WEC-Sim code development and verification are presented in a companion paper [1] that is also being presented at OMAE2014.

This paper presents the technical formulation and demonstrated model performance results of a new direct-steam-generation (DSG) model in NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM). The model predicts the annual electricity production of a wide range of system configurations within the DSG Linear Fresnel technology by modeling hourly performance of the plant in detail. The quasi-steady-state formulation allows users to investigate energy and mass flows, operating temperatures, and pressure drops for geometries and solar field configurations of interest. The model includes tools for heat loss calculation using either empirical polynomial heat loss curves as a function of steam temperature, ambient temperature, and wind velocity, or a detailed evacuated tube receiver heat loss model. Thermal losses are evaluated using a computationally efficient nodal approach, where the solar field and headers are discretized into multiple nodes where heat losses, thermal inertia, steam conditions (including pressure, temperature, enthalpy, etc.) are individually evaluated during each time step of the simulation. This paper discusses the mathematical formulation for the solar field model and describes how the solar field is integrated with the other subsystem models, including the power cycle and optional auxiliary fossil system. Model results are also presented to demonstrate plant behavior in the various operating modes.

Gas turbine based power and cogeneration schemes are likely to become more favored as turbine efficiencies improve, but the economics of local power generation may depend on the use of low cost fuels other than natural gas. Opportunities may arise in the application of gas turbines in the pulp and paper industry and the wider use of biomass derived fuels in general. These fuels, as produced, typically contain inorganic impurities originating from ash forming substances and other minor constituents of the feedstock. Also, depending on the biomass treatment process, they contain varying amounts of complex organic derivatives, commonly referred to as tars, and some simpler condensable vapors. The Department of Energy is sponsoring work aimed at providing realistic data on low level constituents and impurities in gas derived by indirect gasification of wood, some of which may have disproportionately severe effects on turbine operation, durability, and emissions performance. It is planned to sample gas from both laboratory scale (up to 20 tons/day) and pilot scale (200 tons/day) installations and to assess the effectiveness of wet scrubbing procedures and catalytic reforming of condensables in cleaning up the gases. This paper discusses the rationale for this work, experimental approach, and analytic procedures that will be used. The work will include the operation of a small (220-kWe) gas turbine to provide direct information on the impact of using the final biomass derived gas delivered by the system. The laboratory scale work is currently under way, with a planned completion date in mid 2000. The second phase is dependent on arrangements for integration of the R&D effort with the operation of the pilot plant.

The paper highlights on-going studies and design efforts by a team of several specialists in aspects related to a type of power generation installation, which consists of a directly coupled closed-cycle gas turbines (the Light Water Reactors have a double loupe energy transfer system coupled by a heat exchanger) to an inherently safe nuclear heat source. In particular the NEREUS installation will be discussed. NEREUS is the God for shipping in Greek mythology, but in this case it stands for: a Naturally safe, Efficient, Reactor, Easy to operate, Ultimately simple and Small. This describes very well the aims of the design team. This part will explain the inherently safe character of the nuclear heat source, the way the energy production in the heat source is controlled, the type of nuclear fuel and the treatment of the nuclear waste, the refuelling, the weight, the dimensions and the construction of the nuclear part of the NEREUS installation. Part two will describe the non-nuclear part of the installation, the possible applications, its potential markets and the technical and financial indications from the on-going study. This paper should be read in conjunction with the paper “The NEREUS installation — the Non-Nuclear part (GT)”.

Fuel cells are emerging as a major new power generation technology that is particularly suitable for distributed power generation, high-efficiency, and low pollutant emission. An interesting combined cycle, the “HYBRID,” has recently been scoped “on paper” that portends the potential of ultra-high efficiency (approaching 80%) in which a gas turbine is synergistically combined with a fuel cell into a unique combined cycle. This paper introduces hybrid technology to the gas turbine community as a whole, and summarizes the current and projected activities associated with this emerging concept.

In this paper, a Fiat Avio 701F gas turbine re-design process is presented. This already tested gas turbine has been modified, for a particular re-powering application: a reduction in the net power production is required, whereas efficiency and exhaust temperature have been improved by mean of increased hot gas temperature at the first nozzle inlet section. Consequently this re-powering solution clearly requires consistent re-design efforts to satisfy specific plant operating conditions. The gas turbine power output has been tuned to the required value by reducing the air inlet mass flowrate; the combustion chamber setting has been modified with particular attention to the control of pollutant emission level. The increase of inlet stator turbine temperature necessitated a complete review of the three cooled turbine stages. The aim of greater overall efficiency with inlet and exit turbine temperature increase also involved the introduction of a new blade material. For design tool flexibility the blade cooling design procedure has been improved making better optimization of the cooling system possible. In this paper a detailed description of the several gas turbine modifications with particular attention to the blade cooling design procedure and to the corresponding simulation results is reported. The modifications developed could also be introduced on the new version of the 701F, at full power capability, in order to get better efficiency and power.

The present paper describes the application of the exergy method to several power cycles of current interest in the Brazilian power scene. The ability of the exergy method to highlight component irreversibilities is of particular interest in this investigation. In this paper the exergy analysis for a simple gas turbine cycle, a combined gas/steam cycle, a combined gas/steam/freon cycle and a chemically recuperated gas turbine have been performed. As a yardstick for comparison a standard gas turbine engine with and without a steam bottoming cycle has been employed. The fuel considered is natural gas. The analysis of this system has been carried out using the exergy method. For the simple gas turbine cycle a biomass fuel has been employed as an alternative. The attraction of this fuel is its low impact on the environment and its plentiful supply in many regions in Brazil.

Biomass is a fuel of increasing interest in power generation since it is clean and renewable. Besides conventional power generating systems biomass fuel will be utilized in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plants in the near future. Carbona Inc. (the successor to Enviropower Inc.) is commercializing a biomass fueled IGCC system. This system is based on a simplified IGCC process which applies the gasification technology originally developed by the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) and further developed by Enviropower before licensing the technology to Carbona and an advanced hot gas clean-up system. An extensive pilot test program has been carried out by Enviropower/Carbona covering all aspects of a biomass based gasification process. More than 5000 tons of different biomass feedstocks have been gasified at the pilot plant in Tampere, Finland. The pilot plant converts 15 MW (51 MMBtu/h) thermal input of fuel to product gas. Several biomass qualities/mixtures have been used during the test runs including hard wood, soft wood with and without branches, needles and bark. Short rotation biomass like willow and alfalfa have also been tested. This paper concentrates on the results and differences in gasification of different biomass materials with special emphasis on the suitability of product gas for gas turbines, the fate of ammonia, vapor phase alkali metals and air toxics. The development of demonstration projects is also discussed in this paper.

An approach to improving the thermal cycle efficiency of combustion turbine (CT) based power plants is to develop thermal cycles with interceding, reheat, recuperation and humidification. Until recently, this was viewed by combustion turbine manufacturers as cost prohibitive and involving new operating and maintenance challenges. Also, early attempts by some manufacturers to develop sophisticated thermal cycles resulted in the realization that significant funds, personnel, and time are required. This investment could not be justified, particularly considering the availability of efficient and economical combined cycle (CC) plants.Therefore, increased efficiency for both simple and CC power plants has been achieved by raising the firing temperature and pressure of the basic Brayton cycle. However, every increase in the CT firing temperature required progressively higher development cost and increased NOx control challenges, which has re-awakened interest in advanced cycles.The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC), in cooperation with combustion turbine manufacturers, is working on an Advanced Turbine Systems Program. The program goal is to develop technologies to provide a significant increase in natural gas-fired CC power generation plant efficiency with thermal efficiency target values in excess of 60%. Materials published in the program show that participating large CT original equipment manufacturers (OEM), are relying heavily on an increase in the CT’s firing temperature to approximately 2600 F (1700 K), with associated advancement in materials and cooling techniques, to achieve the target efficiency. Also employed are some improvements in component efficiency and various methods of utilization of heat in the bottoming cycle. The development of the necessary sophisticated materials and cooling techniques requires very significant development costs and is based on long duration and expensive experimental investigations and field demonstrations. Increasing the bottoming cycle efficiency primarily depends on the practicality of engineering solutions and capital vs operating cost trade-offs, and not on technology advancements.The current Cascaded Humidified Advanced Turbine (CHAT) technology, which utilizes existing, commercially proven combustion turbine and industrial hardware integrated in sophisticated thermal cycles, offers an achievable, practical and cost-effective alternative to a current CC plant. Current CHAT plants require relatively minimal engineering developments associated primarily with a) modification of the power shaft CT’s compressor discharge and turbine inlet plenums — for interfacing the HP shaft and other thermal cycle components — a very important engineering task, but not comparable in complexity to the development associated with further increase of the CT inlet temperature; and b) engineering of an HP expander with an inlet temperature of 1600 F (1145 K), essentially integrating steam turbine and industrial expander technologies.As it was shown collectively in the previously published references, in addition to an efficiency equal to that for CC plants (based on the same CTs), CHAT plants have significantly lower (10–20%) specific capital costs and have important operating advantages (higher than CC efficiency at part-load operation, with excellent load following and dynamic benefits, including rapid start capability). Those features reduce both the CHAT plant cost of electricity and offer a method to improve improve the economics of power generation systems due to the operational flexibility added by a CHAT plant.One of the most effective ways to increase the CHAT plant efficiency is to increase the HP expander inlet temperature from the current level of 1600 F (1145 K), which represents the level of the combustion turbine technology of the late 1960’s – early 1970’s. EPRI and ESPC have identified that a CHAT plant, based on the current combustion turbine technology (with turbine inlet temperature (TIT) of 2550 F (1670 K)), could achieve the ATS Program target efficiency of 60% with an HP expander inlet temperature of approximately 2000 F (1365 K). HP expanders with this relatively low turbine inlet temperature, as shown later, will require cooling of only the first stage nozzles and stage blades, if the newest single crystal alloys are used. However, the increase of the HP expander inlet temperature will be complicated by the relatively-high inlet pressure. This presents a significant engineering challenge, particularly if one would like to preserve the excellent start-up characteristics and other dynamic benefits of the CHAT plant.EPRI and ESPC are co-sponsoring the development of a high pressure expander with a target inlet temperature of 2000 F (1365 K). It will be shown that this HP expander, when integrated with a power shaft based on W 501 FA modified for the CHAT application, results in a power plant that will achieve the ATS Program target efficiency of 60%.This paper presents a) current CHAT plant’s performance and cost characteristics, b) findings of the project for the development of the HP expander with target temperature of 2000 F (1365 K), and c) a comparison of the advanced CHAT concept’s performance and development costs to those of the ATS program. This paper also shows how, in the future, the new ATS technology can be incorporated into even more efficient, cost-effective and reliable CHAT power plants.Copyright © 1997 by ASME

This paper discusses the nationwide impact of the Advanced Gas Turbine Systems Research (AGTSR) consortium which supports the advanced development of land-based gas turbines for future power generation systems. In particular, the paper emphasizes the educational and research missions of AGTSR. The educational program consists of undergraduate fellowships and graduate-level industrial internships at sponsoring company sites. To date, AGTSR has placed twenty interns at some of the major gas turbine facilities throughout the United States. This experience motivates engineering students to pursue gas turbine careers and allows them to gain valuable hands-on experience in an industrial setting. The research arm of AGTSR nurtures collaborative R&D with universities and industry. All the research issues identified by AGTSR are defined by the Industry Review Board (IRB) which is made up of representatives from seven gas turbine/component manufacturers. AGTSR currently supports over thirty research projects covering research needs in the area of combustion, heat transfer, materials, aerodynamics, sensors, alternative fuels, and advanced cycles. This paper highlights the status of the AGTSR consortium and the feedback received from both industry and universities on the effectiveness and impact of the educational and research components of AGTSR.Copyright © 1997 by ASME

Many variants of the nuclear closed Brayton cycle (NCBC) power plant have been studied over the last five decades, the ultimate goal being the introduction of a high efficiency and environmentally acceptable plant for electrical power generation. With an indirect cycle (IDC) plant the thermal energy from a high temperature reactor (HTR) is transferred to the helium gas turbine power conversion system via an intermediate heat exchanger. Compared with previous direct cycle variants the decoupling of the prime-mover from the reactor has the following advantages, 1) configuration flexibility (eased congestion), 2) good component access, 3) non radioactive power conversion system, 4) ease of maintenance, 5) use of conventional equipment, 6) reduced development effort, and 7) eased adaptability to a fossil-fired source. In addition to being a more practical configuration, a major attribute for the IDC is that it is compatible with long-term plans for development of a high temperature nuclear heat source (NHS) currently underway in Japan. With a NHS in place a logical progression of the HTR would be to deploy a power generation version using an IDC helium gas turbine. This paper sheds new light on the nuclear gas turbine in that it is no longer at the forefront of gas cooled reactor application studies, but rather could be a beneficiary of work currently underway in Japan to develop a nuclear heat source for high temperature process heat. The performance and major features of a future NCBC plant concept are highlighted in this paper. Depending on the market forces prevailing in Asia for small nuclear plants, the NCBC with an indirect cycle helium gas turbine could be available for service around the year 2020.Copyright © 1996 by ASME

The continual increase in both efficiency and specific power of power plants determines the complexity of power generation units. Therefore, thermodynamic calculations with a high degree of accuracy and flexibility are required. This paper describes a highly flexible computerized method of calculating thermodynamics in a power cycle. The computerized method analyzed here permits the study of steam, gas and combined plants. Its flexibility is not restricted by any defined cycle scheme. A power plant consists of simple elements (turbine, compressor, combustor chamber, pump, etc.). Each power plant component is represented by its typical equations relating to fundamental mechanical and thermodynamic laws, so a power plant system is represented by algebraic equations, which are the typical equations of components, continuity equations, and data concerning plant conditions. This equation system is not linear, but can be reduced to a linear equation system with variable coefficients. The solution is determined by an iterative process. An example of a simple gas turbine cycle demonstrates the applied technique. This paper also presents the user interface based on MS-Windows. The input data, the results, and any characteristic parameters of a complex cycle scheme are also shown.

This paper describes the evolution of the control system for the 50 MW Rolls-Royce/Westinghouse TRENT Econopac Power Generation Unit. The prime mover for this power plant is derived from the Rolls-Royce TRENT 800 Aero gas turbine and incorporates the new staged Dry Low Emission combustion system. The generator is standard air cooled design and is procured and integrated into the compact Econopac unit by Westinghouse. The paper discusses the design objectives for the control system and the resulting hardware and software requirements. The design objectives include conformance to applicable safety and hazardous standards, efficient emission and fuel control for dual fuel (gas and liquid) operation, high reliability and availability and extensive fault diagnostic and condition monitoring for ease of plant operation and maintenance. The control system design and development relies heavily on the use of real time simulator (RTS) incorporating non linear real time models of the engine and the many sub systems such as the gas fuel distribution system, liquid fuel/water system, vibration system etc. which are controlled by the control system. The paper covers the development of these models and their use in the RTS in the dry and wet hardware in the loop testing. The paper concludes with a review of the planned engine/econopac development testing leading up to full control system validation and certification to the Rolls-Royce/Westinghouse internal and applicable external acceptance standards.

For closed-cycle gas turbines, in a size to meet utility power generation needs, the selection of helium as the working fluid represents the best solution in terms of the overall power conversion system considering the differing requirements of the turbomachinery and heat exchangers. Helium is well suited for the nuclear Brayton cycle because it is neutronically inert. The impact of helium’s unique properties on the performance and size of the power conversion system components is discussed in this paper. The helium gas turbine plants, that have operated were based on 1950s and 1960s technology, represent a valuable technology base in terms of practical experience gained. However, the design of the Gas Turbine Modular Helium Reactor (GT-MHR), which could see utility service in the first decade of the 21st century will utilize turbomachinery and heat exchanger technologies from the combustion gas turbine and aerospace industries. An understanding of how the design of power conversion systems for closed-cycle plants and combustion gas turbines are affected by the working fluids (i.e., helium and air, respectively) is the major theme of this paper.

This paper presents preliminary engineering results for a 50 MW Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) plant for the Alabama Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC). The CAES plant would improve AEC’s power generation mix in two ways: (a) it would provide needed peaking/intermediate power (otherwise purchased) and (b) it would increase the load factor of economical baseload units. The paper presents the following: a. Comparative trade-off analysis of various conceptual arrangements with underground storage depths ranging between 1000 feet and 4000 feet. (The most economical concept is selected based on the consideration of economics of the overall plant including underground storage). b. Engineering and cost data, performance data, construction schedule and environmental data for the selected CAES plant concept. The results of this preliminary engineering effort prove that a CAES plant is a cost effective addition to AEC’s installed power generation plants.

This paper describes the importance of maintaining high efficiency in industrial gas turbines used in power generation to reduce the consumption of a non-renewable energy resource and to minimize the harmful effects on our environment. The cost of inefficiency in monetary terms and in the production of harmful emissions is described. The significance of maintaining high component efficiency, especially the prevention of compressor fouling, on the overall engine performance is stressed. The effect of each component performance on engine efficiency is described in some detail. Examples on how component efficiencies can be improved are provided. Recommendations are made for reducing energy consumption by optimized operational procedure and improved engine maintenance.Copyright © 1993 by ASME

In support of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Power Program, a Westinghouse Electric led team consisting of the Institute of Gas Technology, Gilbert/Commonwealth, and the Pacific International Center for High Technology Research, is conducting a 30-month research and development program to provide validation of hot gas cleanup technology with a pressurized fluidized bed, air-blown, biomass gasifier for operation of a combustion turbine. This paper discusses the gasification and hot gas cleanup processes, scope of work and approach, and the program’s status.Copyright © 1993 by ASME

Full-scale testing has continued at the US Navy’s Gas Turbine Systems Engineering Complex. The test complex, which is based on the US Navy’s DDG-51 class propulsion plant, has fully transitioned from the construction phase to the testing phase. A complete LM 2500-based propulsion train exists, as well as an electrical generation, distribution and control system. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update to last year’s test report, and to document the new tests and systems integration tasks that have taken place. Particular areas to be discussed include: - electrical system design, installation and testing - crew training and integrated plant operations - full-scale casualty control exercises - integration and testing of an Auxiliary Power Unit - control system upgrades and communication testing At the time that this paper is being written, final design approval has been given to move a second 2500 kW gas turbine generator to the test site. This will be a cogeneration system, since it has a waste heat recovery system installed in the exhaust system. The paper describes the plans for integrating this system into the gas turbine complex. The proposed electrical system test plan is also discussed. The paper concludes by outlining the component and system testing programs that are planned for the future. The future tests represent a continuing commitment to land based test sites and full scale integration testing.

This paper describes existing, developing, and needed methods for detection, identification, and diagnosis of problems in combustion turbines. The use of combustion turbines for electrical power generation is growing, and advanced models of large industrial turbines are now starting to enter service. In view of the harsh operating conditions and severe service to which these new turbines will be exposed, this paper evaluates sensors and signal analysis methods to detect and diagnose the problems which may surface in operation. Generic problems which have been observed in combustion turbine installations in the recent past are identified, and methods for detecting these problems, quantifying them, and isolating their causes are analyzed.Copyright © 1990 by ASME

In this paper a new process is described to improve the efficiency of power generation in waste incineration plants. It is proposed to superheat the steam in a gas turbine/waste heat boiler combination rather than in the incinerator boiler. Although this is not discussed in this paper the same process may be applied in nuclear power stations where the superheating of steam is also a problem. A global risk-analysis of the addition of equipment is made in this paper. On basis of a case-study the financial advantages are demonstrated.

Total lifetime costs of photovoltaic (PV) systems are important determinants of profitability. But such costs are not always accurately measured and compared against fluctuating electricity costs, which can be an important contributor to long-term profitability. In this paper, we consider the economics of concentrated photovoltaics (CPV), which offer significantly higher efficiency and greater energy production over traditional fixed flat-plate PV installations in high-irradiance regions, but are perceived to be risky investments. Working with two models, one a simple annual model that uses only direct normal solar insolation; the other a more complex hourly model that uses direct normal solar insolation, ambient temperature, and wind speed to predict energy yield, we calculated the energy production and corresponding revenue generation for a 28 kW CPV unit and a comparable single-axis tracker field in Nevada. Our resulting cost matrix shows how much revenue a CPV system can reasonably be expected to generate under different pricing schemes and time periods. While the values vary depending on the assumptions made, the matrix provides an index of profitability, enabling prospective buyers to compare the costs of purchasing, installing and maintaining a system against likely revenue. As a result of our calculations, we anticipate that CPV systems will still be viable in high flux areas because they offer the promise of profitability now and continued or increased profitability as cell costs decrease and/or overall efficiency increases. Nonetheless, other factors, such as long-term reliability and O&M costs, must be addressed if CPV is to compete with other simpler technologies, such as single-axis PV trackers, which have lower upfront costs and are therefore becoming more attractive to potential customers.

Continuing studies of the Gas Turbine High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (GT-HTGR) power plant have been directed toward identification of a plant configuration with improved economic incentives over competing electric power plants. This paper outlines the studies which led to the selection of the primary system for a plant with optimized parameters from the standpoint of minimum power generating cost. As in previously reported designs, an integrated type of plant embodying multiple helium gas turbine loops was selected. The layout of the power conversion loop (PCL) components in the prestressed concrete reactor vessel (PCRV) and the development of the primary system helium gas flow paths are discussed. The studies reported in this paper led to changes in the PCRV geometry which had a significant impact by reduction in the size of the PCRV and attendant cost savings. With orientation and configuration of the major PCL components forming the basis of these studies, some of the preliminary design considerations for the turbomachinery, heat exchangers, thermal barrier and control valves together with maintenance considerations are discussed. The reference plant preliminary design presented is based on a 3000 MW(t) core thermal rating with a reactor outlet (turbine inlet) temperature of 850 C: the overall plant efficiency of the dry-cooled direct cycle nuclear gas turbine is 40 percent.Copyright © 1977 by ASME

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) operates a combined cycle, Westinghouse PACE generating station which was commissioned in 1972. The plant consists of two Westinghouse 501B6 gas turbines, two heat recovery steam generation units with afterburners, and a single 120MW steam turbine generator. PSO made the decision to upgrade the complete plant control with a state-of-the-art triple modular redundant control system, designed to provide entire control of the generating station. The paper describes the overall retrofit project, from project conception and justification through installation, commissioning and operating results.Copyright © 1989 by ASME

The advent of high-speed gas-turbine-powered naval vessels requires that new concepts in energy generation and conservation be employed This paper describes the heat recovery system designed for the U.S. Navy Spruance Class destroyers as applied to the ships service generator sets. Among the topics discussed in the paper are the water and steam system, controls, heating surface selection and configuration, water treatment, gas-side fouling, gas-side pressure drop, and heat transfer. The thermal power recovered is used to perform heating, distillation plant operations, and galley services, thereby reducing the fuel consumption required to perform these functions. The use of separately fired boilers to perform the required tasks would significantly increase the fuel consumption rate.

This paper is a result of work done by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on a $1.8 million, 3 1/2 year study funded by DOE and EPRI. The potential future market for Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) system is substantial. The savings realized by utilizing CAES power plants can be very attractive with the proper generation mix. The thermodynamic parametric performance studies that were conducted to screen the various aquifer charging and discharging cycles are discussed. Equations are presented to directly calculate the optimum (minimum required total compressor work and air cooler heat rejection) intercooler(s) location for a compressor train utilizing one and two inter-coolers. An equation is also presented which directly determines the reheat combustor location required to maximize the turbine train output. A discussion is included why the performance of CAES power cycles must be optimized by considering the total power production energy costs not on a basis of maximum turbine output power or heat rate. Hardware and economic considerations which lead to CAES LP turbomachinery component standardization are discussed. Such standardization allows a manufacturer to economically adapt its CAES turbomachinery to a range of different air storage pressures.

This paper describes the vibration analysis technology of MW-701D Gas Turbine which was developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. for 50 Hz utilities. MW-701D is the highest performance gas turbine available with a firing temperature of 1,154°C for base load operation. It is employed by the 1,090 MW combined cycle plant, one of the largest of its kind in the world, and the plant began commercial operation at half of the total capacity of 1,090 MW in December, 1984. The plant was designed to supply base load electric power generation by burning imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel. This paper describes the general description of the combined cycle plant and the vibration characteristics of MW-701D Gas Turbine.

This paper presents the results of Gibbs & Hill, Inc.’s studies, engineering, and implementation of a cogeneration plant consisting of gas turbines and heat recovery steam generators. The plant is designed for fluctuating power supply and stable steam supply requirements to a multistage flash (MSF) type Desalination Plant. This paper emphasizes the advantages of an Integrated Power/Desalination Plant System Optimization as against separate optimization of power and desalination plants.Copyright © 1982 by ASME

Offshore wind power has gained momentum as a means to diversify the world’s energy infrastructure; however, little is still known of the global stiffness behavior of the large diameter low aspect ratio monopiles which have become the foundation of choice for offshore wind towers. Traditionally, offshore foundations have been associated with gravity structures for the oil and gas industry, which in general need to resist large vertical loads with limited lateral and moment loading. However, wind towers are purposely designed to be subjected to large lateral and moment loads from the wind and waves in order to maximize power generation. Geotechnical centrifuge tests were conducted and numerical models are being developed to examine the behavior of low aspect ratio piles in clayey soils. Monopiles with aspect ratio of two are being tested in the the 150g-ton centrifuge at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Initial results include momenttheta and force-displacement for various loading conditions. Numerical studies consist of finite element (FE) simulations in order to predict capacities and permanent deformations. The comparisons are to be performed in terms of the total resistance that is exerted by the soil on the caisson. FE studies allow to model capacity for different displacement fields and also to compute interactions between different loading modes. This paper outlines our progress to date including both numerical and experimental results.Copyright © 2015 by ASME

High-temperature receiver designs for solar powered supercritical CO2 Brayton cycles that can produce ∼1 MW of electricity are being investigated. Advantages of a supercritical CO2 closed-loop Brayton cycle with recuperation include high efficiency (∼50%) and a small footprint relative to equivalent systems employing steam Rankine power cycles. Heating for the supercritical CO2 system occurs in a high-temperature solar receiver that can produce temperatures of at least 700 °C. Depending on whether the CO2 is heated directly or indirectly, the receiver may need to withstand pressures up to 20 MPa (200 bar). This paper reviews several high-temperature receiver designs that have been investigated as part of the SERIIUS program. Designs for direct heating of CO2 include volumetric receivers and tubular receivers, while designs for indirect heating include volumetric air receivers, molten-salt and liquid-metal tubular receivers, and falling particle receivers. Indirect receiver designs also allow storage of thermal energy for dispatchable electricity generation. Advantages and disadvantages of alternative designs are presented. Current results show that the most viable options include tubular receiver designs for direct and indirect heating of CO2 and falling particle receiver designs for indirect heating and storage.Copyright © 2014 by ASME

This paper presents a recent study on the design and analysis of an oscillating surge wave energy converter (OSWEC). A successful wave energy conversion design requires balance between the design performance and cost. The cost of energy is often used as the metric to judge the design of the wave energy conversion (WEC) system, which is often determined based on the device’s power performance; the cost of manufacturing, deployment, operation, and maintenance; and environmental compliance. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of a cost-driven design strategy and how it can affect a WEC design. A set of three oscillating surge wave energy converter designs was analyzed and used as examples. The power generation performance of the design was modeled using a time-domain numerical simulation tool, and the mass properties of the design were determined based on a simple structure analysis. The results of those power performance simulations, the structure analysis, and a simple economic assessment were then used to determine the cost-efficiency of selected OSWEC designs. Finally, we present a discussion on the environmental barrier, integrated design strategy, and the key areas that need further investigation.Copyright © 2014 by ASME

In fossil fuel applications, such as air transportation and power generation systems, gas turbine is the prime mover which governs the aircraft’s propulsive and the plant’s thermal efficiency, respectively. Therefore, an accurate engine performance simulation has a significant impact on the operation and maintenance of gas turbines as far as reliability and availability considerations are concerned. Current trends in achieving stable engine operation, reliable fault diagnosis and prognosis requirements do motivate the development and implementation of real-time dynamic simulators for gas turbines that are sufficiently complex, highly nonlinear, have high fidelity and include fast response modules. This paper presents a gas turbine performance model for predicting the transient dynamic behavior of an aeroderivative engine that is suitable for both mechanical drive and power generation applications. The engine model has been developed in the Matlab/Simulink environment and combines both the inter-component volume and the constant mass flow methods. Dynamic equations of the mass momentum and the energy balance are incorporated into the steady state thermodynamic equations. This allows one to represent the engine model by a set of first order differential and algebraic equations. The developed Simulink model in an object oriented environment, can be easily adapted to any kind of gas turbine configuration. The model consists of a number of subsystems for representing the gas turbine’s components and the thermodynamic relationships among them. The components are represented by a set of suitable performance maps that are available from the open literature. The engine model has been validated with an established gas turbine performance simulation software. Time responses of the main variables that describe the gas turbine dynamic behavior are also included. The proposed gas turbine model with its dynamic simulation characteristics is a useful tool for development of real-time model-based diagnostics and prognostics technologies.

The aim of this paper is to describe a management protocol for electrical and thermal loads in housing scheme equipped with co-generative unit and renewable system. In new residential buildings is very important the presence of co-generative unit and renewable system to turn from the actual electrical grid (passive) into a smart grid; in fact, nowadays “few” power plants satisfy all customer electric demands; whereas in the near future the electrical final users will became local power producers. The new management protocol allows to optimize the energy demands in according with electrical energy cost, depending on time slot, and the instant power generation from co-generative and renewable devices. This system is capable, by simplex “domotic interface”, described analyzed and design by the authors, to individuate the more convenient time for the users, to respond at their energy demands. The advantage of this system can be found on a new power quality management, with consequent cost decrease for the users.Copyright © 2012 by ASME

With heightened concerns on CO 2 emissions from coal fired electricity generation plants, there has been major emphasis in recent years on the development of safe and economical Carbon Dioxide Capture and Sequestration (CCS) technology worldwide. Saline reservoirs are attractive geological sites for CO 2 sequestration because of their huge capacity for long term sequestration. Over the last decade, numerical simulation codes have been developed in US, Europe and Japan to determine a priori the CO 2 storage capacity of a saline aquifer and to provide risk assessment with reasonable confidence before the actual deployment of CO 2 sequestration can proceed with enormous investment. In US, the 2nd version of Transport of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat (TOUGH2) numerical simulator has been widely used for this purpose. However at present, it does not have the ability to determine optimal parameters such as injection rate, injection pressure, injection depth for vertical and horizontal wells, etc. for optimization of the CO 2 storage capacity and for minimizing the leakage potential by confining the plume migration. This paper describes the development of a “Genetic Algorithm (GA)” based optimizer for TOUGH2 that can be used by the industry with good confidence to optimize the CO 2 storage capacity in a saline aquifer of interest. This new code including the TOUGH2 and the GA optimizer is designated as “GATOUGH2”. It has been validated by conducting simulations of three widely used benchmark problems by the CCS researchers worldwide: (a) study of CO 2 plume evolution and leakage through an abandoned well, (b) study of enhanced CH 4 recovery in combination with CO 2 storage in depleted gas reservoirs, and (c) study of CO 2 injection into a heterogeneous geological formation. The results of these simulations are in excellent agreement with those of other researchers using different codes. The validated code has been employed to optimize the proposed water-alternating-gas (WAG) injection scheme for (a) a vertical CO 2 injection well and (b) a horizontal CO 2 injection well, in order to optimize the CO 2 sequestration capacity of an aquifer. The optimized calculations from GATOUGH2 are compared with the brute force nearly optimized results obtained by performing a large number of calculations. These comparisons demonstrate the significant efficiency and accuracy of GATOUGH2 as an optimizer compared to using TOUGH2 in a brute force manner. This capability holds a great promise in studying a host of other problems in CO 2 sequestration such as how to optimally accelerate the capillary trapping, accelerate the dissolution of CO 2 in water or brine, and immobilize the CO 2 plume.

The NETL-Regional University Alliance (RUA) continues to advance technology development critical to turbine manufacturer efforts for achieving DOE Fossil Energy (FE’s) Advanced Turbine Program Goals. In conjunction with NETL, Coatings for Industry (CFI), the University of Pittsburgh, NASA GRC, and Corrosion Control Inc., efforts have been focused on development of composite thermal barrier coating (TBC) architectures that consist of an extreme temperature coating, a commercially applied 7-8 YSZ TBC, a reduced cost bond coat, and a diffusion barrier coating that are applied to nickel-based superalloys or single crystal airfoil substrate materials for use at temperatures ≥1450°C (≥ 2640°F). Additionally, construction of a unique, high temperature (∼1100°C; ∼2010°F), bench-scale, micro-indentation, nondestructive (NDE) test facility at West Virginia University (WVU) was completed to experimentally address in-situ changes in TBC stiffness during extended cyclic oxidation exposure of coated single crystal coupons in air or steam-containing environments. The efforts and technical accomplishments in these areas are presented in the following sections of this paper.

Imatran Voima (TVO) is the biggest energy producer in Finland. IVO builds, owns and operates several biomass combustion power plants and carries out active R&D work on further development of small-scale biomass and peat-fired power plants. Both conventional power plants based on fluidized bed boilers and future power plants based on gasification are also developed by IVO. Typically, biomass fuels have high moisture content. High moisture content of fuel has, however, a negative effect on power generation cycles because of higher combustion losses. IVO has researched and developed a steam drying system for small-scale gasification power plants for the sole domestic fuels peat and biomass. This is described and the experience gained in testing it is briefly reviewed. The main focus of this paper is the thermal analysis of pressurized steam drying for biomass gasification power plants. Special emphasis is given to the thermal analysis of fuel moisture in alternative power plant processes. Fuel moisture removal is analyzed as a separate process.

The GT24/26 Advance Cycle System ‘ACS’ was announced in 1993 as the first modern single shaft reheat combustion turbine to serve the power generation market. The ACS goal was to have higher efficiency and higher specific output than ‘F’ class machines already providing the first step to improved efficiency. The innovative sequential combustion system (reheat) technology raised overall plant efficiencies to 58% LHV, a substantial improvement over the state of the art plant performance of 55% LHV at that time, without pushing the turbine inlet temperature envelope. This paper will review progress of the power plant concepts that will serve the emerging Merchant Power market as a result of deregulation of the industry not only in the United States but in other countries as well. Operating experience as well as improvements will be reviewed of the current and future plants that will account for over 10 GW’s in the year 2000. Improvements to meet the challenges of the New Millenium continue through ABB R&D efforts as well as contributions to the DOE ATS program.

During the last years, two new subjects among the others have risen interest in the field of small scale electric power generation: advanced microturbines and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. This paper investigates the thermodynamic potential of the integration of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell technology with microturbine systems, in order to obtain ultra-high efficiency small capacity plants, generating electric power in the range of 250 kW with 65% LHV net electrical efficiency and with the possibility of cogenerating heat. A detailed description of the calculation model is presented, capable of full and part-load performances analysis of the microturbine and of the integrated SOFC+microturbine system.

In the deregulated electric utility environment, distributed power is expected to play a major role in meeting national power generation requirements of the 21st century. Compliance with environmental regulations and ultra-high efficiency will be attributes in penetrating distributed power markets. Fuel cell/turbomachinery hybrids are poised to become the first choice for these applications, yielding emissions of nitrogen oxides below 2 ppmv and low CO2 emissions due to high efficiency (>70% in 20 MW power packages). The challenges faced by hybrid systems are: system integration, power electronics/power conditioning, system controls, operational and transient dynamics, and commercial system cost. Opportunities to use existing gas turbines as the selected turbomachinery are being investigated, prompted by size flexibility and the savings in time and investment that this offers. This paper is an attempt to address the opportunities and challenges posed by a variety of fuel cell/turbomachinery hybrids.Copyright © 1999 by ASME

While natural gas is achieving unrivalled penetration in the power generation sector, especially in gas-turbine combined cycles (CCGT), an increasing number of alternative fuels are in a position to take up the ground left vacant by this major primary energy. In particular, within the thriving family of liquid fuels, the class of volatile products opens interesting prospects for clean and efficient power generation in CCGT plants. Therefore, it has become a necessity for the gas turbine industry to extensively evaluate such new fuel candidates, among which: naphtha’s; kerosines; gas condensates; Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) and alcohols are the most prominent representatives. From a technical standpoint, the success of such projects requires both a careful approach to several specific issues (eg: fuel handling & storage, operation safety) and a clear identification of technological limits. For instance, while the purity of gas condensates meets the requirements of heavy-duty technologies, it generally appears unsuitable for aeroderivative machines. This paper offers a succinct but comprehensive technical approach and overviews some experience acquired in this area with heavy duty gas turbines. Its aim is to inform gas turbine users/engineers and project developers who envisage volatile fuels as alternative primary energies in gas turbine plants.

The useful life of gas turbines and the availability of power after start-up depend on their transient response. For this reason, several articles have been written on the dynamic simulation of gas turbine systems in electrical generation, cogeneration, and marine applications. The simulations typically rely on performance maps and time lags extracted from manufacturer’s specifications. This work was undertaken to increase the generality of turbine models over what can be obtained from performance maps. The paper describes a mathematical computer model developed to investigate the dynamic response of a simple single-shaft gas turbine system. The model uses design parameters normally incorporated in gas turbine design (e.g. load coefficient, flow coefficient, and deHaller Number) as well as compressor and turbine stage geometry and compressor and turbine material properties. A dynamic combustion chamber model is also incorporated. Other input parameters are included to enable the model to be adaptable to various system sizes and environments. The model was formulated in a graphical interface, and the results of several trials are displayed. The influence of important parameters (e.g. fuel-air ratio, IGVs, load, efficiencies) on turbine response from a “cold” start and from steady-state is studied. To gain further insights into the response, a start-up procedure similar to that reported in the literature for an industrial gas turbine system is simulated. Because of the approach used, the computer model is easily adaptable to further improvements and combined simulation of turbines and control systems.

Application of gas turbines for power generation services aboard special classed floater vessels for mobile oil and gas exploration platforms has been demonstrated and certified by classification societies. A floating platform, designed by Kerr McGee UK PLC, in operation in the North Sea on purpose-built vessel, Tentech 850, has incorporated a pair of Mars T-12,000 gas turbine generator sets designed and supplied by Solar Turbines. The system has been registration classed and certified by Det Norske Veritas in mid 1993 for all of the power generating services required for extended oil extraction and pre-production processing, as well as, auxiliary electric power required for operations. This paper presents the selection and certification process required for this application and an update of the operating experience during the first years of operation.

A new generation of small scale (less than 20 MWe) biomass fueled, power plants are being developed based on a gas turbine (Brayton cycle) prime mover. These power plants are expected to increase the efficiency and lower the cost of generating power from fuels such as wood. The new power plants are also expected to economically utilize annual plant growth materials (such as rice hulls, cotton gin trash, nut shells, and various straws, grasses, and animal manures) that are not normally considered as fuel for power plants. This paper summarizes the new power generation concept with emphasis on the engineering challenges presented by the gas turbine component.Copyright © 1998 by ASME

Traditional philosophy of power producing state-owned utilities has been effected by their anonymous risk-sharing attitude. They needn’t have bothered too much with brand-new technologies. Technological risk with unproved, although excellent nominal performance machinery was born by the end-users. On the other hand, independent power producers’ (IPP) philosophy is a little bit different. Their attitude is much more effected by risk evaluation. They have pretty good reasons to be risk-averse with technologies lacking a proven operational record. Any failure to obey their contractual liabilities could mean dramatic consequences to them. Consequently, old-fashioned players in the power generation industry may seem to have been pushing industry technical progress more effectively ahead than it would be with modem players - IPPs. But this is only one side of the coin. Quite opposite reasons for IPPs’ affinity to modern technologies are higher performance parameters which offer better revenues to them, more flexible choice of fuel and prompt readiness to react sensitively to market imbalance and volatilities. Obviously, a hardly-defined, yet sensible equilibrium under which both these trends coexist and inter-act here exists. In this paper we shall analyse factors affecting such equilibrium by presenting real examples of gas turbine-dependent power generation technologies.

Biomass integrated gasification-gas turbine (BIG-GT) technology offers the opportunity for efficient and environmentally sound power generation from biomass fuels. Since biomass is ‘carbon-neutral’ it can be used in power generation equipment without contributing to the ‘greenhouse effect’ if it is grown sustainably. The Brazilian BIG-GT initiative is one of a number of initiatives world-wide aimed at demonstrating, and thereby establishing, biomass as an energy resource for power production. The goal of the Brazilian BIG-GT project is to confirm the commercial viability of producing electricity from wood through the use of biomass-fuelled integrated gasification combined-cycle (BIG-GT) technology. To fulfil this goal a 32 MWe eucalyptus-fuelled demonstration power plant will be built in Brazil on the basis of a design made by TPS Termiska Processer AB (TPS). The first two phases of the project, which included experimental and engineering studies and the basic engineering of the plant, were completed in 1997. The next phase of the project, the construction and commissioning of the plant, is the recipient of a U.S. $35 million grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in addition to financing from the World Bank (WB). The plant will be built in Bahia, north-eastern Brazil. The customer of the plant is a consortium, SER - Sistemas de Energia Renovável, comprising of CHESF (Companhia Hidro Elétrica do São Francisco), a federally-owned electricity generation and distribution company, Eletrobras (Centrais Elétricas Brasileiras), a holding company comprising of the main Brazilian companies from the electric generation and distribution sector, and Shell Brasil. Start-up of the plant is scheduled for the year 2000. The plant will be based on a TPS designed atmospheric-pressure gasification/gas cleaning process. The product gas will be fired in a modified GE LM 2500 gas turbine. The gasification and gas cleaning process is based on the use of a circulating fluidised bed gasifier, secondary stage catalytic tar cracker and conventional cold filter and wet scrubbing technology. The feedstock to the plant will be mainly eucalyptus wood from a dedicated plantation which is harvested on a three-year cycle. This paper describes the background of the project leading up to the technology selection, the technology that will be employed in the plant and the outline of the economics of this ‘first-of-a-kind’ plant. The progress made in establishing the organisation and the formal framework (e.g. securing the electricity and fuel contracts) are also reported. Future projections of likely technological improvements and cost reductions, and their effect on the overall economics of an ‘Nth’ plant, are presented.

This paper describes the development of a low-emission, 50-kW turbine-driven generator called a turbogenerator. It gives a detailed description of the key design features that benefit hybrid electric vehicles driven in various driving cycles. Although the turbogenerator is designed for hybrid electric vehicles, other applications such as standby and primary electric power generation will benefit from its characteristics. These include very-low-exhaust emissions, low cost, high reliability, high fuel efficiency, compact design, and low noise levels. The turbogenerator is relatively unique in that the turbine wheel, compressor impeller, and electrical generator are all mounted on a single, common shaft which is supported on air bearings. These features eliminate the need for both the gearbox and oil lubrication commonly found on conventional automotive and gas turbine engines. AlliedSignal developed the 50-kW turbogenerator for Ford Motor Company under the DOE Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion Program. The turbogenerator is designed to fit into the engine compartment of a Mercury Sable. AlliedSignal originally proved this innovative concept in an APU development program for the U.S. Army. The unit developed for that program has accumulated over 600 hours of operation in laboratory and Army vehicle tests.Copyright © 1998 by ASME

Several advanced, coal- and biomass-based combustion turbine power generation technologies using solid fuels (IGCC, PFBC, Topping-PFBC, HIPPS) are currently under development and demonstration. A key developing technology in these power generation systems is the hot gas filter. These power generation technologies must utilize highly reliable and efficient hot gas filter systems if their full thermal efficiency and cost potential is to be realized. This paper reviews the recent test and design progress made by Westinghouse in the development and demonstration of hot gas ceramic barrier filters toward the goal of reliability. The objective of this work is to develop and qualify, through analysis and testing, practical hot gas ceramic barrier filter systems that meet the performance and operational requirements for these applications.Copyright © 1998 by ASME

Significant research effort is currently centered on developing advanced gas turbine systems for electric power generation applications. A number of innovative gas turbine cycles have been proposed lately, including the Humid Air Turbine (HAT), and the Chemically Recuperated Gas Turbine (CRGT). The potential of the CRGT cycle lies in the ability to generate power with a high efficiency while achieving ultra-low NO emissions without the need for selective catalytic reduction of the exhaust gases. Much of the research work published on the CRGT cycle is restricted to an analysis of the thermodynamic potential of the cycle. However, a detailed performance analysis of such cycles requires the development of a suitable cycle simulation code, capable of simulating cycle operation at the design point and in part load conditions. In this paper, the authors present a modular code for complex gas turbine cycle simulations. The code includes a module for design and off-design simulation of the methane-steam reformer chemical heat recovery device of a CRGT cycle. The code is then used to perform a detailed design and off-design performance analysis of a CRGT cycle based on the LM2500-STIG cycle adapted for chemical recuperation.Copyright © 1998 by ASME

A number of different innovative gas turbine cycles are currently being developed for future high performance power generation applications. Of particular interest are new cycles such as the Humid Air Turbine (HAT) cycle and the Chemically Recuperated Gas Turbine (CRGT) cycle. The HAT cycle has reached the stage of commercial demonstration, whereas the CRGT cycle is still in the research stage. Performance predictions for CRGT cycles show cycle performance levels higher than those of the basic Steam Injected (STIG) cycle, but lower than those of state-of-the-art combined cycles. Thus, CRGT cycles are most likely to be of interest for intermediate load operation or cogeneration. For such applications, part load performance is a key performance criterion. Part load operation is generally detrimental to power plant performance, and it is thus important to assess the part load performance of such a plant under various operating conditions. The emphasis of this paper is on the comparison of part load performance of various advanced cycles (STIG, CRGT, Combined Cycle). The results show that the part load performance levels of a CRGT cycle deteriorate less fast than those of a combined cycle, whereas part load behavior is similar to that of a STIG cycle. However, this study also indicates that CRGT part load performance is less attractive than published performance curves of Westinghouse’s innovative CHAT cycle, thus confirming that the key advantage of the CRGT cycle is the projected ultra-low emissions characteristics of the cycle.

The growing desire for sponsors of power generation projects to share risk with the lenders has promoted the use of computational tools, simulating and evaluating from a techno-economic viewpoint long-term, high-risk projects. Such models need to include reliable engine diagnostics, life-cycle costing and risk analysis technique. This paper presents a Decision Support System (DSS) for the assessment of power generation projects using industrial gas turbines. The software, programmed in Visual Basic in Excel, runs the object-oriented software Pythia which has been developed by the Department of Propulsion, Power and Automotive Engineering at Cranfield University and which can perform gas turbine performance calculations, including off-design conditions, with or without degradation effects providing thus very reliable engine diagnostics. Moreover, a life cycle cost, assessed using manufacturer methodology for instance, can be integrated into the economic model. The degree of uncertainty relating to technical and economic factors is assessed using a normal distribution and the level of risk can then be evaluated using a risk analysis technique based upon the Monte Carlo Method. The DSS therefore provides charts and result tables to support the decision making, allowing the user to achieve a good level of confidence using new techniques of risk management.