The Dow Chemical Company

Roger D Hudson

Richard E Zachary

A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of nebulized water to a gas turbine by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Nebulized water mass flow is added in increments such that operationally-induced thermal stresses within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine. Monitoring of the temperature profile of fluid-cooled rotor blades in the turbine section with an optical pyrometer to detect clogging of cooling pathways in those rotor blades from impurities in the liquid added through the wet compression, monitoring of temperature in the gas turbine compressor inlet to guard against the possibility of icing, and use of a laser emitter and laser target measuring system mounted to the exterior of the gas turbine hosing to detect deformation in the housing of the gas turbine from associated cooling effects help enable safe use of the wet compression technique. Addition of steam in the compressor inlet to control the inlet air temperature and to thereby prevent ice-forming conditions in the compressor inlet and elsewhere extends the benefits of the wet compression technique to operation in cooler climates.

Method and apparatus for achieving power augmentation in gas turbines

A wet compression power augmentation apparatus and method for effectively adding a mass flow of water particles to a gas turbine preferably by use of a spray rack group assembly having at least one spray rack water pipe and at least one spray rack water nozzle. Water mass flow is added preferably in increments such that operationally-induced thermal transients within the gas turbine are sufficiently minimized to preserve the structural integrity of the gas turbine. Monitoring of the temperature profile of fluid-cooled rotor blades in the turbine section with an optical pyrometer to detect clogging of cooling pathways in those rotor blades from impurities in the liquid added through the wet compression, monitoring of temperature in proximity to the gas turbine compressor inlet to guard against the possibility of icing, a deformation measurement device, preferably a laser emitter and laser target measuring system mounted to the exterior of the gas turbine housing to detect deformation in the housing of the gas turbine from associated cooling effects of the wet compression technique, and periodic addition of heat and humidity, preferably steam, to the compressor inlet are disclosed.

Disclosed is an expansion joint principally for use on pipelines carrying pressurized, hot (or cold) fluids such as steam. The joint is for use at a point in the line where a change in direction must be made by flowing fluid and/or pipeline. By the proper combination of three pipes, location of holes in these pipes and flange-like pieces, an expansion joint is created which is not only pressure-balanced and of the internal-bellows type but, requires only two bellows to be such an expansion joint.

Growing community of inventors

Zachary, LA, United States of America

Roger D Hudson