Application of Heavy Fuel Test Results to Gas Turbine Operation Free

The results of ash deposition tests with simulated residual oil are presented. Both air-cooled and water-cooled nozzles were tested over a range of firing temperature, fuel contaminant levels, and metal surface temperatures. Extensive ash cleaning tests were also completed under full, steady-state operating conditions. Various online ash removal techniques were tested including small nutshells, large nutshells, coke particles, and water droplets. The results of these tests were applied to a General Electric gas turbine to predict actual field operation at turbine inlet temperatures up to 2300°F (1260°C). Use of on-line ash removal and optimum water washing intervals are shown to significantly improve the economics of gas turbine operation on heavy fuels. The improvements in heavy fuel operation were larger with a water-cooled stage 1 nozzle than with an air-cooled nozzle. This work was jointly sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute and General Electric under the Advanced Cooling, Full-Scale Engine Demonstration Program.