Effect of Operational Condition, Environmental Conditions, and Maintenance Culture on the 25mw Gas Turbine located in Trans- Amadi Port-Harcourt, Rivers State

Abstract

This extensive study offers a detailed investigation of a 25 MW gas turbine situated in the Trans-Amadi industrial layout of Rivers State, part of the Niger Delta region, Nigeria. The main goal of the research was to assess the real-time performance of the gas turbine and evaluate it against recognized global standards. To accomplish this, the study employed fundamental thermodynamic equations along with a sophisticated MATLAB program. The analysis focused on several critical performance metrics, including pressure ratio, turbine power, inlet turbine temperature, net power output, heat supplied, heat rejected, compressor power, and specific fuel consumption including the system’s thermal efficiency. The actual performance of the gas turbines was calculated and the results indicate that the plant power output ranged 13MW–15MW deviating significantly from the anticipated acceptable standard of 23–25MW.  Additionally, a significant decline in turbine thermal efficiency between 14 and 23% was calculated against a thermal efficiency of about 28%. It was also observed that specific fuel consumption increased as a result of higher pressure ratios, possibly occasioned by fouling of the compressor blades among other factors. The study also revealed that ambient temperature affects the performance (thermal efficiency) of the plant. Furthermore, it was evident that the turbine inlet temperature of about 800^oC would give us an optimal performance. This research therefore provides valuable insights into the operational status of the gas turbines and identifies areas of potential optimization and improvement. The findings further highlight the need for enhanced maintenance, performance optimization, and potential upgrades to achieve optimal efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. By addressing these issues, the gas turbines can operate at optimal levels, increasing power generation capacity and reducing energy losses.