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Infrared Heat Increases the Up-Time of Gas Power Plant

Comprehensive and rapid de-icing of intake filters

Gas power plants, which supply electrici ty to meet peak demands,

must work reliably and come on line rapidly, especially in the cold

times of the year.

For combustion, gas turbines need air which must be free from dust

and other particles and, consequently, this is always pre-filtered. Cold

and moist intake air in the winter months can easily lead to icing up o f

the filters. This means that less air is i s passed through the filters so

that the turbines must be choked or sw itched off just when they are

most needed.

At Trianel, infrared systems f rom Heraeus Noblelight

complement the de-icing protection in a modern combined cycle

power plant (GuD). In just two weeks in May, 24 infrared modules,

including controls , were installed and commiss ioned.

Modern combined cycle (gas and steam turbine) power plants generate

electricity at a relatively high efficiency of around 60%, significantly higherthan conventional power plants at around 40%.Moreover, they can be

brought on line very quickly and so are used for handling medium and peak

electricity load demands.

Electricity consumption is not steady but demand is in peaks and troughs.

To meet this, fast acting power plants must be used. These can provide

high power output within minutes. Gas power points offer such capability

and they rely on being able to take in cleaned air. If the in-line filters

become iced up, this can lead to power plant shut down. An efficient de-

icing system, which above all must operate quickly and reliably, has to

guarantee the availability of the power plant even in the cold winter months.

Trianel is a co-operative of 47 public utilities and operates a

combined cycle power plant with two block unit power stations. A

coal-fired power station is under construction and a further one is

planned nearby. An offshore wind farm is also underway in front ofan

island. The combined cycle plant is already several

years old. The experience of the last two relatively hard winters caused

Trianel to consider enhancing its existing anti-icing systems. Any solution

had to be as easy as possible to retrofit and very responsive.

Thomas Kleinwaechter, manager of technical management and

maintenance, met with Heraeus Noblelight to investigate thesuitability of electrical infrared systems for this application.

Press release

Infrared for Filter De-Icing for Gas Power Plants


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As with most gas power plants, the plant used the waste heat

from electricity generation for filter de-icing. This hot air is blown onto the

pocket filters, made of fleecy material. However, there can be local cold

and hot zones, especially when the hot air is not distributed sufficiently.

In contrast, infrared radiation has significant benefits. Energy is distributed

without contact and generates heat within the material itself. In addition,

infrared heat is rapidly available and heating is more energy-efficient than

many conventional methods.

I am convinced that infrared systems can heat the filters comprehensively

and evenly without significantly impairing the cross-sectional flow of the

intake air, says Thomas Kleinwaechter. The power station operators also

made the point that the de-icing enhancement system was a turnkey

system which was supplied complete. We were faced with a real

challenge, says Michael Lyhs, a project manager at Heraeus Noblelight, in

the end, there was a window of just three weeks for the total electrical and

mechanical installation and this work had to be carried out at heights of 12

to 27 yards.

Altogether, surface areas of29' x 13' were each fitted with 24 medium

wave infrared emitters, with a total rated power of 236 kW. Every three of

the approx. 7' long emitters are mounted in a frame and these modules can be

easily switched on and off and controlled by a switchboard or from the maincontrol room. The co-operation and collaboration between the power

station staff and Heraeus worked so well that the system was up and

running in just two weeks! says Michael Lyhs, delightedly, I am convinced

that the de-icing system will meet the challenges of next winter perfectly.

Further Information:

Heraeus Noblelight

2150 Northmont Parkway

Duluth GA 30096 USA

Phone 678.258.3898

Email [email protected]

http://www.noblelight.net


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Heraeus Photos

Infrared emitters from Heraeus Noblelight, under test, heating fleece filters, so that

they can operate without icing up.

Fitting of the infrared de-icing system in the Trianel Gas Power Plant

.

Copyright Heraeus Noblelight

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