GAS TURBINE PERFORMANCE AT VARYING AIR INLET TEMPERATURE

Power generation systems in most locations are either being driven by a gas
turbine or a steam turbine. Gas turbine, which drives the generators to produce
electrical energy, are normally design to be operated based on the ISO standards
which specifies the air temperature to be at 15ºC, air pressure to be at sea level of
101.325 kPa and a relative humidity of 60%. Ambient condition varies on different
part of the world; therefore these conditions are seldom or never met by gas turbines
especially those operating in the region of Middle East, where temperatures are
usually high, and also area having tropical climate like Malaysia, where it is
relatively much more humid.
This project is to study the effects of varying ambient air temperature towards
the performance of a gas turbine. With reference from studies conducted in Dubai,
Turkey and Iran, the pattern of declination of power output is known. The main
concern is how the performance of gas turbine will be affected with respect to the
humid Malaysian climate. Thus, this project will analyze the performance of gas
turbine with varying inlet air temperature to demonstrate the effect of ambient air on
a gas turbine. This is done by using dry ice to lower the air inlet temperature and also
the temperature of the air after the first stage of compression. The findings of this
project will hopefully be as guidance for researchers and engineers to roughly
estimate the power output at 100% base loads and find a preliminary measures to
curb underperforming gas turbines operating at an off-design condition.