Six MHPS 501J Gas Turbines Achieve 123 MW Boost in Japan
Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling
Thermodynamic Performance under High-Ambient Conditions
Augmenting gas turbine power output during peak summer demand requires precision thermal management. In Himeji, Japan, the installation of high-pressure evaporative cooling systems on six MHPS 501J gas turbines yielded a total power boost of 123 MW. This project profile examines the system architecture and operational metrics that enable a 20.5 MW output increase per unit under specific high-ambient conditions.
Environmental Baseline and Performance Metrics
Gas turbine performance is intrinsically tied to ambient air density. The performance data for this installation is grounded in specific high-temperature stress conditions, ensuring the cooling system mitigates the efficiency losses typical of hot days. Under these thermal parameters, the thermodynamic efficiency gained through inlet air cooling results in a verifiable 20.5 MW output increase per turbine.
Fog System Architecture and Atomization Physics
Achieving a consistent 20.5 MW boost per unit requires rapid, complete evaporation before the air mass enters the compressor. This is achieved through the precise atomization of water at high pressure, which maximizes the evaporative surface area. Operating at 2,000 psi ensures the system consistently produces a 12-micron droplet size. This specific atomization profile prevents moisture from carrying over into the turbine components. The 15-stage configuration allows operators to incrementally step up cooling capacity to match real-time, fluctuating thermal conditions.
Operational Conclusion
By integrating a 15-stage, high-pressure fogging system, the facility can dynamically manage compressor inlet temperatures. This approach ensures optimal mass flow and compressor efficiency, delivering a reliable 123 MW total power augmentation across the six MHPS 501J units during critical high-demand periods.
Project Conditions:
Location: Himeji, Japan
Elevation: Sea Level
Design Ambient Temperature: 36.7°C
Design Relative Humidity: 39%
Mee’s scope of work: Supply of fog pump skids, nozzle manifolds, and supervision of installation and commissioning
Fog System Design:
Cooling Stages: 15
Operating Pressure: 2,000 psi
Fog Droplet Size: 12 microns
MeeFog Nozzle Count: 975
Nozzle Flow Rate: 0.17 lpm per nozzle
Maximum Skid Water Flow: 166 lpm
Max. Power Requirement: 80 HP
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