Gas Turbines Breathe New Life

Camfil helps customer increase power output with a lower carbon intensity

Several paper companies manage cogeneration factories where they operate 44MW gas turbines with high availability requirements (8500 hours/year).In an effort to increase the performance of the gas turbines, Camfil Power Systems was asked to optimize the existing filtration system for three paper factories. The aim of the collaboration was to decrease the total filtration system dP (pressure drop) to achieve the following:

• More power output for the same fuel consumption
• Extended filter lifetime
• Less time and effort required for filter replacement
• Higher engine protection and availability

THE SITE

The sites are located in coastal to land-based conditions, where air quality can be challenging. The relative humidity is moderate to high with an average of 73%, and Camfil‘s Air Analysis team estimated 45μg/m3 PM10 dust concentrations. This is 77% higher than there commended annual WHO standard.

CAMFIL SOLUTION

Camfil conducted several site surveys to recommend the optimal air filter solution to enhance the performance of the engines. The shortest possible installation time during scheduled maintenance was a fundamental prerequisite.

Based on environmental and operational conditions, the OEM and customer decided to upgrade the existing system to a two-stage static filter solution.

THIS SYSTEM HAS THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES:

• Low and stable dP, even under wet and humid conditions:
  - prefilter lifetime expectation > one year
  - final filter EPA Class lifetime expectation > three years
• Greater engine protection due to EPA efficiency and efficient water drainage
• Flexible design

This solution has produced additional savings for the end-user in terms of maintenance and operating costs, as well as superior engine protection and air cleanliness.

Additionally, since pressure drop and efficiency class has improved, fuel consumption has also decreased per megawatt-hour produced. This means that the carbon intensity is impacted positively by approximately 2% as a result of filtration.