3 MW Power Boost for LM 6000 Gas Turbine in Mexico
MeeFog systems have been installed on over 90,000 MW of gas turbine capacity. With over 1,000 systems......
Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling Systems for Power Optimization
Boost Power with the Cost-Effective Meefog System
Cooling the inlet air of a gas turbine produces a significant power boost and improves fuel efficiency. The boost is bigger in a dry climate but it is still economically significant in very humid areas. A combustion turbine’s output is dependent on the mass of the air being moved through its compressor and the air volume flow per revolution is fixed. Lowering the air temperature increases the density of the air which increases the power output. Cooler air also requires less work to compress, requiring less power and lowering the parasitic load of the compressor.
Evaporative cooling is effective in all climates, from areas with cool summers to the high heat and humidity of the Tropics. MeeFog gas turbine inlet air cooling utilizes the most effective and economical technology available. With more than 1000 installations spanning 30 years, Mee Industries is the leader in applying this technology.
The fogging process is very simple and straightforward. Demineralized water is pressurized to 2,000 psi (138 bar) via the MeeFog pump skid. The water is then fed to MeeFog nozzles, which inject pure water fog into the inlet air flow.
We’ll gladly supply a detailed power recovery report for your existing gas turbines including:
- Installed system cost.
- Guaranteed power gain.
- Predicted MW-hr gain per year.
- Improve heat rate up to 5%.
MeeFog GT Installation Diagram
Click the different areas of the diagram below to learn more.
Pump Skid
Pump Skid
Stainless-steel welded frame with oversized inlet water filter. Water lubricated direct drive pumps means no oil or drive belts to change. Variable frequency drives are used to reduce flow for staging.
Evaporative Cooling Fog Nozzle Manifold
Evaporative Cooling Fog Nozzle Manifold
Cools to wet bulb temperature with droplets evaporating prior to entering compressor. Fog nozzles mounted on stainless steel tubing are wired for FOD avoidance. These precision nozzles are manufactured and tested in our own facility.
Wet Compression Nozzle Manifold
Wet Compression Nozzle Manifold
Fog droplets evaporate inside the compressor, giving an intercooling effect that reduces the work of compression. Water sprayed into the compressor will reduce NOx as well, but only about half as much as water sprayed into the combustors, because much of the air bypasses the combustion process.
System Overview
Power Boost
MeeFog System Benefits
- Fog cooling increases output by 20% or more.
- Overspray fogging provides additional boost.
- Reduced NOx emissions up to 30%.
- Improved fuel economy.
- Reduced CO2 per kW of power.
- Robust equipment & proven technology.
- Guaranteed results!
Droplet Comparison
Small droplets have a larger surface to volume ratio compared to larger droplets. This allows them to evaporate much more rapidly than larger droplets.
Want Proof?
We’ll gladly supply a detailed power recovery report for your existing gas turbines including:
- Installed MeeFog system cost.
- Predicted MW-hr gain per year.
- Fuel savings.
Featured Case Study
MeeFog Cooling System
Rapid ROI Pays for Additional Cooling Power
The Challenge
To design the most economical and effective system to increase the power output, and improve the fuel economy, for 12 ABB combustion turbines.
The Solution
MeeFog systems were custom designed and installed to allow fine control over a wider range of temperatures and humidity conditions.
Midland Cogeneration Venture needed a cost-effective way to boost output at their facility. Mee Industries installed inlet air cooling systems to augment power production on six of their ABB11NM turbines. One year after the initial installation, Midland Cogen’s Brian Vokal said the results obtained by the installation of MeeFog technology went far beyond expectations. “We are going to buy six more units using the cash generated.” Which is just what they did. As of the summer of 2011, MeeFog skids had been installed on all 12 of the plant’s gas turbines.
Gas Turbine Inlet Air Cooling FAQ
Inlet air cooling makes the air denser. Since the compressor of the gas turbine moves a fixed volume of air, the mass flow increases then the air is denser. More mass flow means more power output and improved efficiency.
Inlet air cooling makes the air denser. Since the compressor of the gas turbine moves a fixed volume of air, the mass flow increases then the air is denser. More mass flow means more power output and improved efficiency. Cooler air also takes less work to compress, so the compressor consumes less of the power produced by the expansion turbine making more power available at the output shaft of the turbine.
Cooling the inlet air by 20 °F (11 °C) can increase output by 10% or more.
Efficiency can be improved by increasing the pressure ratio or firing temperature, or by decreasing compressor work. Combustors and hot-section components can be upgraded, but doing so is usually more expensive and less beneficial than adding inlet fogging or wet compression.
Stainless steel nozzles have an indefinite life span when used with filtered, demineralized water. Some systems have operated for more than thirty years. An annual, visual inspection should be performed, and any nozzles that are not spraying properly, due to plugging or physical damage, should be replaced. An annual visual inspection is needed, and any damaged or plugged nozzles should be replaced.
The system has a useful life of at least 30 years. Stainless steel nozzles have an indefinite lifespan when used with filtered, demineralized water
Our standard warranty is one year but we also offer extended warranties. MeeFog systems have a useful life of at least 30 years.
Yes. While the power boost is more significant in dry climates, it remains economically significant even in very humid areas.
While specific timelines vary, case studies show rapid ROI. For example, Midland Cogeneration Venture installed six units and used the cash generated from the increased production to buy six more within a year.
The system helps reduce NOx emissions by up to 30% and reduces the amount of CO2 produced per kilowatt of power.
The MeeFog nozzles produce droplets with an average size below 10 micrometers. For comparison, this is about one-tenth the diameter of a human hair. Smaller droplets have a larger surface-to-volume ratio, allowing them to evaporate much more rapidly than larger droplets, ensuring efficient cooling before the air enters the compressor.
MeeFog Nozzle
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