Fuel energy conversion processes in gas turbines are not limited to those occurring in the combustion unit. It however extends to processes involving microbial conversion of fuel components and subsequent accumulation of biological material. This salient form of energy conversion occurs majorly in the fuel storage tank and along the fuel systems, where it exert effects such as metal corrosion in the tank, combustion chamber and downstream unit of the turbine, degradation of fuel components, fuel destabilization, clogging of fuel filtering and distribution units and other fuel physical and chemical changes. Of recent concerns are gas turbines operating on biofuels and blends, since biofuels are said to be more highly susceptibility to biodegradation than conventional fuels. This paper aims to review microbial contamination in gas turbines in recent years and discuss the effects of fuel quality on gas turbine performance and efficiency as well as highlight the benefits that can be gained from enhanced predictive maintenance and control.
Salient Energy Bio-Conversion Processes Limiting Gas Turbine Engine Performance & Efficiency
1. Salient Energy Bio-Conversion Processes Limiting
Gas Turbine Engine Performance Efficiency
Tosin Onabanjo*; Giuseppina Di Lorenzo
School of Energy, Environmental and Agrifood (SEEA), Cranfield University
1
2. Outline 2
— Background on Bio-conversion
— Industry Overview
— Research Barriers
— Next Steps in Predictive Condition Monitoring
3. Bio-conversion (1) 3
The conversion of organic matter, into a source
of energy through the action of microorganisms.
Organic
Matter
Carbon
Source
Energy
Definition
11. Industry Overview (5) 11
Good Handling Practices
Biocide Application
Water Elimination
Routine Inspection
Successes & Challenges
12. Research Barriers (1) 12
How much degradation occurs during an
opportunistic window of growth
Opportunistic gap
Water consistent in fuels
Complex microbial systems
Asymptomatic reactions
13. Research Barriers (2) 13
Hydrocarbon loss –degree?
Sludge accumulation – microbial
% and chemical %?
Induced corrosion – microbial %
Physiological changes – Sig.?
Chemical changes – Sig.?
15. Research Barriers (4) 15
Root Cause Analysis
Microbes identification
Detection (simple to complex)
Control including biocides
x Reactive
x Symptomatic
x Cost intensive
x Cause-effect relationship
Traditional approach
Microbiological Examinations Engineering
x Misdiagnosis
x Non-detection
x Parallel research
x Underestimation/Overestimation
x Drug resistance
16. Next Steps for
Predictive Condition Monitoring (1) 16
Systematic Analysis
Root cause analysis –advance microbiology
techniques
Modelling: fuel chemical kinetics, microbial kinetics,
abiotic factors, bio-energetics
Gross observation –representative sampling
Engineering
x Proactive
x Reduce downtime
x Reduced associated
cost
x Increased
understanding
x Predictive
maintenance and
condition monitoring
x Reduced pressure on
microbial evolution
Optimized approach
17. Next Steps for
Predictive Condition Monitoring (2) 17
First time development of an engine
bio-fouling model
• Estimate hydrocarbon loss
• Relate to engine performance and
emission analysis
PowerEnergy2015-49657
July 01, 2015 01:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Application of BIO-fAEG, a biofouling assessment model in gas turbines …
Thank
You
Editor's Notes
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced
Discoloration
Pungent smell
Haziness
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced
Not often the case: opportunistic window, practise not often followed; microbes constant evolving
Not often the case: opportunistic window, practise not often followed; microbes constant evolving
When such process occur in a fuel tank; it could to lead to other reactions such as hydrocarbon loss; where part of the fuel component is converted to energy for the microbial, but this means that the energy available for combustion is reduced