Gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity

A gas turbine equipment includes a humidifying device for humidifying compressed gas for combustion, a heat recovery device for recovering exhaust heat from a gas turbine or the compressed air so as to heat humidifying water in the humidifying device, a recuperator for recovering exhaust heat from the gas turbine and heating the compressed gas for combustion, a dehumidifying device for dehumidifying and recovering moisture in the exhaust gas having passed through the recuperator, and an exhaust gas reheater for heating the exhaust gas after dehumidification, a temperature measuring device for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas reheater, and a heating temperature adjusting device for increasing the heating temperature of the exhaust gas reheater.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, and in particular, to a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity comprising an exhaust gas reheater on the combustion gas exhaust side for preventing generation of white smoke.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, in a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, should exhaust gas be directly discharged into the atmosphere from a smokestack or the like, since a moisture falls in a saturated condition at a temperature of about 40 degrees C., the moisture in the exhaust gas would be condensed resulting in generation of white smoke. In order to prevent generation of such white gas, the exhaust gas is heated just before discharging it into the atmosphere, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, JP-A-2000-282894.

The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is effective when the gas turbine equipment is operated in a steady state or in a stable ambient air temperature condition, but since a heat quantity sufficient for preventing generation of white smoke cannot be applied to the exhaust gas upon a start of the gas turbine equipment or during the winter season, the generation of white smoke cannot be sufficiently prevented. Meanwhile, should the heating temperature of the exhaust gas be set to a higher temperature in view of the start of the gas turbine equipment or operation during the winter season, excessive heat would be applied to the exhaust gas during the summer season, resulting in radiation of extra heat. As a result, thermal efficiency would be lowered.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to provide a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, which is capable of preventing generation of white smoke throughout a year.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity which can prevent generation of white smoke throughout a year, and as well can restrain radiation of extra heat so as to prevent lowering of thermal efficiency.

To the ends, according to the present invention, there is provided a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, comprising a humidifier for humidifying compressed air for combustion, a heat recovery device for recovering exhaust heat from a gas turbine or the compressed air so as to raise a temperature of humidifying water in the humidifier, a heat recovery device for recovering exhaust heat from the gas turbine so as to raise a temperature of the compressed air for combustion, which has been humidified by the humidifier, a dehumidifier for removing and recovering moisture from the exhaust gas having passed through the heat recovery device, and an exhaust gas reheater for heating the exhaust gas after dehumidification, characterized by further comprising a temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas reheater, and a heating temperature adjusting means for raising the heating temperature of the exhaust gas reheater if a temperature of the exhaust gas measured by the temperature measuring means is not higher than a predetermined value.

With the configuration as stated above, since the heating temperature of the exhaust gas reheater may be controlled in accordance with a variation in exhaust gas temperature throughout a day and a year, the exhaust gas temperature can be controlled according to the ambient air temperature change, and as a result, generation of white gas may be prevented throughout a year, and further, radiation of extra heat may be restrained, thereby it is possible to prevent lowering of the thermal efficiency of the gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity.

As stated above, according to the present invention, there may be provided a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, which can prevent generation of white smoke throughout a year, and which can restrain radiation of extra heat so as to prevent lowering of the thermal efficiency thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Explanation will be hereinbelow made of a gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, which is an embodiment of a gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity, according to the present invention, with reference toFIG. 1.

The gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity according to this embodiment of the present invention comprises a gas turbine1, an air compressor2and a generator3coaxial with the former, and a combustor4. Air a sucked into the air compressor2is compressed so as to be turned into a compressed air b having a high temperature, then is discharged, and is cooled in the air cooler5before it is introduced into a humidifying tower6, which is a humidifier. Air c humidified in the humidifying tower6is led through a recuperator7constituting a heat recovery unit so as to be heated, and accordingly, it is turned into a compressed air d for combustion which is jetted into the combustor. The combustor4is connected thereto with a fuel supply pipe8for feeding fuel, and accordingly, the fuel fed through this fuel supply pipe8is mixed with the compressed air d for combustion and is burnt.

Combustion gas e burnt in the combustor4is fed into the gas turbine1which is therefore driven so as to rotate the air compressor2and the power generator3. Exhaust gas f having passed through the gas turbine1is led through the recuperator7so as to carry out heat-exchange in order to heat the humidified air c, and is emitted into the atmosphere from a smokestack12, after passing through an economizer9constituting a heat recovery unit, a water recovery unit10constituting a dehumidifier for recovering moisture contained in the exhaust gas f, and an exhaust gas reheater11for heating the exhaust gas after recovery of moisture.

The humidifying tower6has therein a packing13for retaining water and for allowing air to pass therethrough, and reserves, in its bottom part, humidifying water14. A part Al of the humidifying water14in the bottom part of the humidifying tower6is led through a pipe line16and is fed so as to heat the exhaust gas after moisture recovery in the exhaust gas reheater11by means of a humidifying tower circulation pump15. Water B having passed through the exhaust gas reheater11so as to lower its temperature is heated by the exhaust gas f in the economizer9, and the heated water C1is sprayed by a sprayer18provided in the upper part of the inside of the humidifying tower6after passing through a pipe line17. A water liquid film formed over the outer surface of the packing13by displaying of the heated water C1, is made into direct contact with the compressed air b which has be led into the tower6by way of the air cooler5, and accordingly, the heated water is evaporated so as to humidify the compressed air b.

Meanwhile, the other part A2of the humidifying water14fed out by the humidifying tower circulation pump15cools in the air cooler5the compressed air b which has been compressed and heated up so as to absorb heat. The heated water C2is then led through a pipe line19and to the sprayer18side of the pipe line17, and is sprayed into the humidifying tower6from the sprayer18.

It is noted that the above-mentioned water recovery unit10is adapted to replenish the humidifying tower6with the humidifying water14by means of a recovery water feed pump20. Further, the exhaust gas discharged from the economizer9has a high humidity of about 20% by weight, and accordingly, should such exhaust gas be directly emitted from the smokestack12, it would be condensed within the smokestack12or would generate white smoke. Thus, in order to prevent these problems, the water recovery unit10recovers moisture in the exhaust gas by spraying the water from a top thereof, by way of a recovery water circulation pump21, a recovery water cooler22and a sprayer23. Further, the water which has been lost during the recovery is replenished with a make-up water pump24.

By the way, the exhaust gas having passed through the water recovery unit10falls in a saturated condition at a temperature of 40 degrees C., and accordingly, it is heated in the exhaust gas reheater11by the part A1of the heated humidifying water14from the bottom part of the humidifying tower6so as to prevent generation of white smoke.

Further, in the configuration of this embodiment, a recirculation pipe line25is provided to connect the pipe line17on the outlet side of the economizer9and the pipe line16to the exhaust gas regenerator11, and a recirculation pump26for feeding the heated water C1to the exhaust regenerator11is provided on the recirculation pipe line25. The recirculation pipe line25and the recirculation pump26constitute heating temperature adjusting means. Further, the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26is controlled by arithmetic processing means32, in accordance with a measured temperature from a temperature measuring means27for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas on the outlet side of the exhaust reheater11.

Next, explanation will be made of the operation of the above-mentioned configuration.

Upon a start of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, the temperature of exhaust gas emitted from the smokestack12is, of ourse, lower, and accordingly, the recirculation pump26is rested in this condition. However, a temperature of the exhaust gas is measured by the temperature measuring means27, and the measured result is processed by the arithmetic processing means32. If it is determined that the temperature of the exhaust gas causes generation of white smoke, it is instructed to drive the recirculation pump26at a designated revolution speed. When the recirculation pump26is driven by the instruction from the arithmetic processing means32, as shown inFIG. 2A, in comparison with a temperature T1of supply water before confluence with a high temperature water by the part Al of the humidifying water14fed into the exhaust gas reheater11, a temperature T2of supply water after the confluence with high temperature water, which is flown with the heated water C1from the economizer9through the recirculation pipe line25is raised as the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26increases. As a result, the heat value applied to the exhaust gas may be increased, thereby it is possible to prevent generation of white smoke.

By the way, since high temperature water is recirculated in the exhaust gas reheater11so that the heat value applied to the exhaust gas is correspondingly increased, as shown inFIG. 2B, if the quantity Q of water sprayed into the humidifying tower6is set to be constant, the temperature T3of sprayed water is lowered. When the temperature T3of the sprayed water decreases, a value of the humidity humidifying the compressed gas b in the humidifying tower6is decreased, and, as a result, as shown in FIG.2C, if the generation output power is maintained to be constant, the supply quantity of the fuel for driving the gas turbine is increased, and accordingly, the power generation efficiency (thermal efficiency) of the generator3is lowered.

Accordingly, in order to prevent lowering of the power generation efficiency, the arithmetic processing means32finely controls the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26so as to adjust the quantity of flow of the heated water C1fed from the recirculation pipe line25to the exhaust gas reheater11, thereby, preventing extra heat which exceeds a value required for preventing generation of white smoke from being applied to the exhaust gas. For example, in an exhaust gas emitting condition in which no white smoke is generated, the operation of the recirculation pump26is stopped so as to interrupt the supply of the heated water C1into the exhaust gas reheater11in order to prevent radiation of extra heat, thereby it is possible to restrain the power generation efficiency from being lowered.

Next, explanation will be made of prevention of generation of white smoke under control of the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26along the progress from a start to a rated load operation of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, as shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3shows the relationship between the temperature of the exhaust gas at the outlet of the smokestack12and the absolute humidity under the atmospheric temperature-absolute humidity condition (A), (B) indicates an exhaust gas condition in the case of driving the recirculation pump26during a start of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, and (C) indicates an exhaust gas condition in the case of no use of the recirculation pump26during a start of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity. Further, (D) indicates an exhaust gas condition in the case of using the recirculation pump26during rated load operation, and (E) indicates an exhaust gas condition in the case of no use of the recirculation pump26during rated load operation.

During the start of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, if no circulation pump26is used, the exhaust gas is emitted under the exhaust gas condition (C), and accordingly, the exhaust gas is mixed with the atmospheric air therearound so that both temperature and humidity are lowered along a broken line (3) in the drawing, and the atmospheric condition (A) is finally restored. When the atmospheric condition is being restored, an air saturation humidity curve (1) is crossed, and accordingly, an oversaturated condition is caused, resulting in generation of white smoke.

However, when the high temperature water from the economizer9is fed into the exhaust gas reheater11by driving the recirculation pump26so as to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas up to (B), the temperature and the humidity of the exhaust gas are lowered along the broken line (2) so as to restore the atmospheric condition (A). At this time, the air saturation humidity curve (1) is not crossed, and accordingly, no generation of white smoke is caused.

It is noted that since (B) has a lower limit temperature at which no generation of white smoke is caused during a start, though the temperature of the exhaust gas may be increased up to a value not less than (B), should the temperature of the exhaust gas be merely increased up to the value not less than (B), extra heat is applied to the exhaust gas, and corresponding radiation of the extra heat would be caused so as to lower the power generation efficiency. Thus, in the exhaust gas reheating, it is desired to heat the exhaust gas up to (B) at which no generation of white smoke is caused.

In the case of driving the recirculation pump26at a constant revolution speed during increase of load from a start of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, the exhaust gas varies its emitting condition from (B) along the dotted line (4) in the drawing, and during rated load operation, it is emitted in the condition (D). Meanwhile, since the temperature of the exhaust gas also increases as the load is increased, it is such a condition that no generation of white smoke is caused even in the exhaust gas condition (E) in which no recirculation pump26is driven. In this condition in which an excessive heat value is applied to the exhaust gas so as to lower the power generation efficiency, it is satisfactory to take such a manner that the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26is lowered under control so as to change the exhaust gas condition from (B) to (E) along the line (5) in the drawing, and when the rated load is obtained, the operation of the recirculation pump26is stopped. By controlling the recirculation pump26in the above-mentioned manner, the temperature of the supply water for reheating (the temperature of the exhaust gas) can restrain the generation of white smoke during operation at a low temperature, and the temperature of the supply water for reheating (the temperature of the exhaust gas) can prevent radiation of an extra heat during operation at a high temperature, thereby it is possible to restrain the power generation efficiency from lowering.

By the way, although the temperature of the exhaust gas emitted from the smokestack12in the above-mentioned embodiment is measured by the temperature measuring means27so as to control the recirculation pump26, there may be taken such a manner that the temperature of the high temperature water fed into the exhaust gas reheater11is measured in order to control the recirculation pump26. Further, with the provision of an exhaust gas temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas reheater11, an ambient air temperature measuring means30for measuring an ambient air temperature, and a temperature difference comparing means31such as arithmetic processing means for comparing a temperature difference between temperatures measured by the ambient air temperature measuring means and the exhaust temperature measuring means, there may be taken such a manner that the recirculation pump26is controlled when a temperature difference not less than a predetermined value is detected by the temperature difference comparing means.

In addition, in stead of controlling the revolution speed of the recirculation pump26, with the provision of a recirculation flow quantity adjusting valve whose opening angle is controlled being based upon a result of measurement by the temperature measuring means27on the outlet side of the recirculation pump26, there may be taken such a manner that an overflow pipe line is connected at one end thereof between the recirculation flow quantity adjusting valve and the recirculation pump26and at the other end to the downstream side of the pipe line17in order to adjust the quantity of flow.

With the use of this flow quantity adjusting mechanism, it is possible to adjust the supply of the high temperature water into the exhaust gas reheater11through the adjustment of the opening angle of the recirculation flow quantity adjusting valve, and the high temperature water which is not necessary for the supply into the exhaust gas reheater11is led through the pipe line17and is sprayed in the humidifying tower6. As a result, no revolution speed control is required for the recirculation pump26, and accordingly, an inexpensive pump may be used.

Further, in the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment, if the compressed air b in the humidifying tower6is fully humidified only by the supply of the heated water C1from the economizer9, the air cooler5may be eliminated.

Although explanation has been made of such a process, as stated above, that the generation of white smoke and the lowering of the power generation efficiency which are caused during the period from a start to rated load operation of the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity, are restrained, the same process is taken together with the same equipment even in such a case that the atmospheric temperature is low in the winter season, and accordingly, the same technical effects and advantage may be obtained. As a result, it is possible to prevent generation of white smoke throughout a day and a year, and radiation of extra heat may be restrained, thereby it is possible to restrain the power generation efficiency from lowering.

FIG. 4is a view illustrating a gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity in another embodiment of the gas turbine equipment utilizing high humidity according to the present invention. Like reference numerals are used to denote like parts to those shown inFIG. 1in order to prevent duplicated explanation thereof.

The configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, except that the pipe line19returned to the humidifying tower6is connected to the pipe line16connected to the exhaust gas reheater11through the intermediary of a recirculation pipe line28which is provided thereto with a recirculation pump29whose revolution speed is controlled in accordance with a temperature measured by the temperature measuring means27, and a part of the heated water C2which has been heated in the air cooler5is fed to the temperature measuring means27. The recirculation pipe line28and the recirculation pump29constitute heating temperature adjusting means.

With the configuration of this embodiment, if the temperature of the supply water fed to the exhaust gas reheater11from the pipe line16is low and the temperature of the exhaust gas led to the smokestack12is low, according to the temperature measured by the temperature measured means27, the recirculation pumps26,29are driven under control of the revolution speeds thereof. Through the control of the revolution speeds of these recirculation pumps26,29, the quantity of the high temperature water fed into the exhaust gas reheater11is increased so as to increase the heat value applied to the exhaust gas in order to restrain generation of white gas.

Further, under such a condition that no generation of white gas is caused, the recirculation pumps25,29are rested so as to stop the supply of the heated water C1from the economizer9and the heated water C2from the air cooler5into the exhaust gas reheater11, and thus, the radiation of extra heat into the atmosphere is restrained, thereby it is possible to prevent lowering of the power generation efficiency.

It is noted that the air cooler5in the configuration of the embodiment shown inFIG. 4is also one of the heat recovery devices according to the present invention, and accordingly, in the case that it is sufficient to humidify the compressed air b in the humidifying tower6and to heat the exhaust gas reheater11by the heated water C2passing through the air cooler5, there may-also be taken such a configuration that the economizer9, the pipe line17, the recirculation pipe line25, and the recirculation pump26are eliminated while water B whose temperature is lowered in the exhaust gas reheater11is sprayed in the humidifying tower6.

By the way, in the configurations of the embodiments as stated above, the heating temperature adjusting means and the heated water temperature adjusting means for increasing the heating temperature of the exhaust gas reheater according to the present invention correspond to the arithmetic processing means32, the recirculation pumps26,29and the recirculation flow quantity adjusting valve which are controlled by the arithmetic processing means, and as well, corresponds to the air cooler5and the economizer9which serves as a heat source. It is noted that the recuperator7may be also used as the heat source. Further, the flow quantity adjusting valve serving as the flow quantity adjusting means according to the present invention is the recirculation flow quantity adjusting valve.

Although explanation has been made of the configurations of the above embodiments in which the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity coupled thereto with the generator as a load, it goes without saying that the gas turbine power plant equipment utilizing high humidity may drive any load other than the generator.