A Study of the Effect of Degradation on Industrial Gas Turbine Performance

Abstract

Component degradation is a very common problem associated with operating industrial gas turbines. The major components so affected by this phenomenon are compressor, combustor and turbine blades. This paper studied the effect of degradation on gas turbine performance. The study involved the analyses of operating parameters effects for Siemens gas turbine engines model SGT5 – 2000E coded GT11 and GT21 in the power stations at Geregu power stations. The parameters considered were ambient temperature, exhaust temperature, combustion chamber pressure and turbine entry temperature, GT11 is degraded while GT21 is newly installed engine both in the same location at Geregu I and II power stations in Ajaokuta, Kogi State in the North central part of Nigeria.Simulations were carried out using Gas turb 11 simulation software, results of engine performance parameters were compared and it was revealed that due to component degradation, the turbine entry temperature (TET) increased to 1049.67oC, the fuel flow increased by 8.49% and power fell by 7.14%. Consequently, the cost of power loss is one hundred and eighty-seven million, one hundred and eleven thousand, seven hundred and fifty-three naira ninety-two kobo (₦187,111,753.92k) over a period of one year for the degraded gas turbine.