Performance analysis of IGCC gas turbine considering turbine operation condition change due to modulation of nitrogen dilution

The integration between a gas turbine and an air separation unit (ASU) is important in IGCC plants. The portion of ASU air extracted from the gas turbine and the degree of nitrogen supply from the ASU to the gas turbine side are important operating parameters. Their effect on the gas turbine performance and operability should be considered in a wide ambient temperature range. In this study, appropriate nitrogen dilution rate and turbine inlet temperature that satisfy the two limitations of turbine blade temperature and maximum allowable power output were predicted. The air integration was set at zero. The simulation showed that the power output increases and turbine blade temperature decreases as the nitrogen dilution increases. The maximum allowable power output can be obtained under medium and low ambient temperature ranges. Under a high ambient temperature range, the achievable power is less than the maximum power.