Heavy Fuels Ash Deposit Formation and Removal in Water-Cooled High-Temperature Gas Turbines

Abstract

Experimental data obtained in heavy fuels operation of a gas turbine simulator with a water-cooled, transonic turbine nozzle cascade are presented. The ash fouling is characterized by the rate of decrease of the aerodynamic throat area. Particular attention is given to the cleanability of the ash deposits. A simple heat transfer analysis was performed to assist in evaluating the data. The rate of ash fouling in the water-cooled nozzle was found to be of the same order of magntude as for conventional air-cooled designs. Cleanability, both on and off-line, was found to be significantly enhanced, thus making the water-cooled gas turbine an attractive alternative for heavy fuels applications.