Design of a Semiclosed-Cycle Gas Turbine With Carbon Dioxide–Argon as Working Fluid

Abstract

The main performance features of a semiclosed-cycle gas turbine with carbon dioxide–argon working fluid are described here. This machine is designed to employ coal synthetic gas fuel and to produce no emissions. The present paper outlines three tasks carried out. First, the selection of main engine variables, mainly pressure and temperature ratios. Then a sizing exercise is carried out where many details of its physical appearance are outlined. Finally the off-design performance of the engine is predicted. This two-spool gas turbine is purpose built for the working fluid, so its physical characteristics reflect this requirement. The cycle is designed with a turbine entry temperature of 1650 K and the optimum pressure ratio is found to be around 60. Two major alternatives are examined, the simple and the precooled cycle. A large amount of nitrogen is produced by the air separation plant associated with this gas turbine and the coal gasifier. An investigation has been made on how to use this nitrogen to improve the performance of the engine by precooling the compressor, cooling the turbine nozzle guide vanes, and using it to cool the delivery of the low-pressure compressor. The efficiencies of the whole plant have been computed, taking into account the energy requirements of the gasifier and the need to dispose of the excess carbon dioxide. Hence the overall efficiencies indicated here are of the order of 40 percent. This is a low efficiency by current standards, but the fuel employed is coal and no emissions are produced.