Enhancing Gas Turbine Output Through Inlet Air Cooling

Combustion gas turbines are constant-volum e engines for which shaft horsepower is proportional to the combustion air mass flow. Their output and effi ciency are known to decrease as the ambient temperature increas es. The present paper investigates the technical and economical feasibility of using turbine inlet air cooling and its effect on the performance of gas turbin es in Khartoum area. The st udy entertained three options namely: refrigerative, f ogging and wetted media eva porative cooling. Although refrigerate cooling is proved to provide the lowest inlet air temperature but was found very costly. Based on the study results of this investig ation wetted media eva porative cooling is found to be the most economically feasible option and is therefore recommended to be utilized to improve gas turbine performance in Khartoum area