Operational Scenarios of a Gas Turbine Using Exhaust Gas Recirculation for Carbon Capture

Abstract

Finding viable economic solutions to significantly reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from energy and transportation products in the near future is paramount for the long-term survival of fossil fuel-burning systems. One of which, the industrial gas turbine, has proven for decades to be a versatile energy system providing high efficiencies in combined heat and power (CHP) applications melding well within existing infrastructure. Applying appropriate technology, the industrial gas turbine could be augmented to both sequester carbon and improve efficiency leveraging the full heating value of the fuel. The paper considers a more detailed operational assessment of a gas turbine using exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) to enable cost-effective postcombustion carbon sequestration and utilization. In this study, the effect of using EGR will be assessed at part load and throughout the operational envelope quantifying component and overall performance, detailed combustion characteristics, and maximizing the utilization of exhaust heat and sequestered carbon in various applications. This study will also attempt to quantify true carbon footprint of gas turbine installations and endeavor to understand the relative change of replacing the gas turbine with an all-electric alternative. Fundamentally, we are looking to see if there is a future to sustain and adapt this significant natural gas (NG) energy infrastructure to a net-zero carbon emissive future by 2050.