Advanced Gas Turbine Combustion System Development for High Hydrogen Fuels

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology makes possible the utilization of low cost coal and opportunity fuels, such as petroleum coke, residual oil and biomass, for clean efficient and cost effective electricity generation. Siemens is a leading supplier of products and services for IGCC plants and it is adapting its most advanced gas turbines for successful integration into IGCC plants. To expedite this, Siemens is pursuing combustion system development for application in IGCC plants operating on syngas/hydrogen fuels. Detailed combustion system testing has been carried out during 2005 and 2006 on syngas/hydrogen fuels derived from different feed stocks and gasification processes. The test programs addressed both the F- and G-Class firing temperatures and operating conditions. Fuel transfer capability to and from natural gas, which is the startup and backup fuel, and syngas was explored over the operating range. Optimization studies were carried out with different diluent (H₂O and N₂) addition rates to determine the effect on emissions and operability. The focus of this development was to ensure that only combustion system modifications would be required for successful enriched hydrogen syngas fuel operation. This paper summarizes the results from the Siemens combustion system development programs to demonstrate that low emissions and wide engine operating range can be achieved on hydrogen fuel operation in advanced 50 Hz and 60 Hz gas turbines in IGCC applications with carbon dioxide capture.