Influence of the Ambient Temperature on the Efficiency of Gas Turbines

Abstract

In hot and arid regions like the Saharan area, effective methods for cooling and humidifying intake air are essential. This study explores the utilization of a water trickle cooler as a promising solution to meet this objective. In particular, the HASSI MESSAOUD area is considered as a testbed. The water trickle cooler is chosen for its adaptability to arid conditions. Modeling results demonstrate its effectiveness in conditioning air before it enters the compressor. The cooling system achieves a significant temperature reduction of 6 to 8 degrees Celsius, enhancing mass flow rate dynamics by 3 percent compared to standard cases without cooling. Moreover, the cooling system contributes to a remarkable 10 percent reduction in power consumption of gas turbines and a notable 10 percent increase in turbine efficiency. These findings highlight the potential of water trickle coolers in improving the performance and efficiency of gas turbine systems in hot and dry climates.