Performance Improvement of a Simple Gas Turbine Power Station Using Pulse Combustion Technology

The retrofitting projects have been considered in many countries to convert simple gas turbine units into more advanced cycle units with higher efficiency and higher output. Among many proven technologies, such as inlet air cooling, intercooling, regeneration, reheat and steam injection gas turbine etc., pulse combustion is one of the promising technologies in boosting both the output capacity and thermal efficiency, and reducing carbon and nitrogen oxides emissions without additional pollution control equipment. This paper presents the analysis of potential and real benefits of pulse combistion technology applied in the combustion process of a simple gas turbine cycle under different operating conditions. In addition, this study investigates the utilization of converting part of chemical energy of fuel into pressure energy in the gas turbine pulse combustion chamber. The influence of the maximum pressure rise due to pulse combustion (pre-compression parameter), the ratio of combustion heat released in the isochoric process, maximum cycle temperature, and compressor pressure ratio on the performance paramenters such as net work output, cycle thermal efficiency, and fuel consumption were also investigated. Finally, the results of comparative analyses between a simple gas turbine cycle utilizing a pulse combustor and a conventional cycle show the thermodynamic advantages of applying this technology in simple gas turbine power cycles.