Gas turbine air intake system with bypass arrangement and methods

Abstract

A hopper arrangement includes a damper arrangement selectively moveable in a plurality of positions to manipulate access to the interior volume. A first position includes a standby position wherein the enclosure and the damper arrangement block access to the interior volume. Another position includes a pressure-relief position wherein the interior volume is open to a continuous airflow path through the container. In some arrangements, there is an evacuation position wherein the damper arrangement allows access to the interior volume and blocks a continuous airflow path through the container. A gas turbine intake system includes a hood, a filter arrangement downstream of the hood and a collection hopper. The collection hopper is in airflow communication with an upstream side of the filter arrangement and downstream of the hood. The collection hopper includes a standby position and a pressure-relief position. A method of filtering air includes drawing air into a hood and then into a filter arrangement. Debris from the filter arrangement is collected in a collection hopper. Further, there is a step of allowing air to bypass the hood and flow to the filter arrangement through a bypass flow passageway selectively opened by the collection hopper.