NO-94-01-4 -- Performance and Economics of CT Inlet Air Cooling Using Chilled-Water Storage PDF

An analysis of combustion turbine (CT) inlet air cooling is presented for a specific electric utility application using existing CTs. Key design parameters are quantitatively analysed, including storage medium, daily cycles versus weekly cycles, new storage tanks versus converted fuel oil tanks, the cooled temperature of the inlet air, and the hours of CT cooling per day. Capital cost estimates are based on a comprehensive design-build project procurement inclusive of design, equipment and material, installation, project management, QA/QC, O&M training, start-up, and commissioning. For this application, chilled-water storage configured as a daily cycle provided the optimum results, approximately a 20% increase in net peak power output for the facility, a 5% reduction in heat rate (specific fuel consumption), 40% less off-peak energy consumption than for alternative storage technologies, and a unit capital cost 50% below that of new CT capacity.

KEYWORDS: performance, economics, combustion, turbines, inlets, air, cooling, chilled water supply, energy storage, ice storage, comparing, energy consumption.