20/05/2023 By admin Off

What is Steam Gas Turbine?

A steam gas turbine, also known as a combined cycle power plant or a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, is a type of power generation system that combines the principles of both gas turbines and steam turbines to produce electricity. It is a highly efficient and environmentally friendly method of power generation.

Here’s how a steam gas turbine works:

  1. Gas Turbine: The system begins with a gas turbine, which operates similarly to a jet engine. Air is drawn in and compressed, and then fuel is injected and ignited, causing the gas to expand rapidly. This expansion drives the turbine, which is connected to a generator, producing electricity. The exhaust gases from the gas turbine are very hot.
  2. Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG): The hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine are directed into a heat recovery steam generator. This device extracts heat from the exhaust gases and uses it to generate steam. The HRSG consists of multiple heat exchangers, where water flows through tubes while the hot gases pass over them, transferring their heat to the water.
  3. Steam Turbine: The steam generated in the HRSG is sent to a steam turbine. The steam expands and passes through the turbine, causing it to spin and generate additional electricity through another connected generator. The steam turbine operates on the same principles as a conventional steam power plant.
  4. Condenser: After passing through the steam turbine, the steam is condensed back into water in a condenser. This releases the latent heat of the steam, which is then cooled and transformed back into liquid form. The condensed water is then returned to the HRSG to be reheated and turned into steam again.

The combination of the gas turbine and steam turbine in a steam gas turbine system offers several advantages:

  1. High Efficiency: The system takes advantage of the waste heat from the gas turbine, which would otherwise be lost, by using it to generate steam and drive a steam turbine. This significantly increases the overall efficiency of the power generation process.
  2. Reduced Emissions: The combination of gas and steam turbines results in lower emissions compared to conventional power plants. The gas turbine produces relatively low emissions, and the steam turbine helps further reduce them by utilizing waste heat.
  3. Flexible Operation: Steam gas turbine systems can be operated in various modes depending on the demand for electricity or heat. They can generate both electricity and useful thermal energy, making them suitable for combined heat and power applications.
  4. Quick Startup and Response: Gas turbines can start up quickly and respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand. This flexibility makes steam gas turbine systems suitable for providing backup power during peak demand periods.

Steam gas turbine systems are commonly used in large-scale power plants and industrial facilities where high-efficiency electricity generation and combined heat and power production are required. They offer a reliable and efficient solution for meeting energy needs while minimizing environmental impact.