Assessment of Hydrophobic Treatment for Gas Compressor Air Intake Values & Screens: Final Report

Abstract:

<p>This document is a closedown report for the project titled 'Assessment of hydrophobic treatment for gas compressor air intake values & screens'.</p> <p>Under certain climatic conditions it is possible for unacceptable levels of ice to build up on gas turbine air intakes. Ice build up on the air intake structures reduces the available cooling and combustion air for the gas turbine, reducing efficiency and the integrity of the unit if the ice should become ingested within the engine. This would have serious consequences for the integrity of the gas turbine unit and network supply capability due to unit failure.</p> <p>There is considerable worldwide experience of operation gas turbine based infrastructure in low ambient temperatures and a number of ice treatment technologies are well defined. Dovetailing the most cost effective available ice treatments with the existing air intake structures. This and also employing any fortuitous effects such as surface roughness, will improve the overall effectiveness of water repulsion and ice management of gas turbine air intakes across the National Grid fleet.</p> <p>The project demonstrated that pre treating air intakes with hydrophobic solutions, PTFE coatings or filter oil only offered a marginal delay (compared to equivalent non treated components) before the on set of icing conditions. This combined with some of the potential health and safety issues associated when applying these solutions (working at height) means that that the evaluation confirmed that this project will not be progressed further at this stage.</p> </br> This report covers the project's: <bl> <li>Scope</li> <li>Objectives</li> <li>Success Criteria</li> <li>Performance Compared to the Original Project Aims, Objectives and Success Criteria</li> <li>Required Modifications to the Planned Approach During its Course</li> <li>Lessons Learnt for Future Projects</li> <li>Outcomes</li> <li>Planned Implementation</li> </bl>

Author(s):

National Grid Gas Transmission