Advancements in Power Generation: Gas Turbines, Combined Cycle, Wind, and Solar Technologies

Introduction:

The program on power generation from gas, wind, solar, and combined cycles provides a detailed study of steam power plants, gas turbines, cogeneration cycles, combined heat and power installations, and other technologies related to wind and solar power. Key components include compressors, gas and steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators, deaerators, condensers, lubrication engineering systems, instrumentation and control systems, transformers, and generators.

Participants will investigate the design and selection criteria, operation, maintenance, and economics of cogeneration and combined cycle plants, including draught limits, reliability, emissions, and monitoring governing systems. Additionally, the course will explain the significant advancements made in the past twenty years concerning cogeneration, combined cycle plants, wind-driven plants, and solar generation technologies.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course on power generation from gas, wind, solar, and combined cycles, participants are expected to be able to:

• Explain the different sections and components of various gas turbines, steam electric power plants, cogeneration plants, combined cycle plants, wind generators, and solar energy conversion systems.
• Evaluate the merits, uses, efficiency, and economic viability of cogeneration, combined cycle plants, wind power plants, and solar photovoltaic systems.
• Familiarize themselves with the basic arrangements and components of more complex structures, including compressors, turbines, governing systems, combustors, deaerators, feedwater heaters, transformers, generators, and auxiliaries, as well as wind plants and solar power generation systems.
• Assess maintenance strategies for gas turbines, steam power plants, combined cycles, generators, and wind energy turbines to reduce maintenance or operational costs while improving efficiency, reliability, and lifespan.
• Comprehend the monitoring and control of pollutant emissions into the environment.
• Learn about instrumentation and control in gas turbines and combined cycles.
• Improve knowledge of predictive, preventive maintenance, and reliability testing of components and systems.
• Understand the various selection factors, designs, and applications for cogeneration, combined cycle plants, wind turbines, and solar power generating systems.

Training Methodology:

• Use of presentations
• Demonstrations
• Real-life concrete scenarios
• Class activities
• Role play games
• Actual visits to power plants
• Team project work
• Involvement of visiting professionals
• Collaborative group work

Course Outline:

Unit 1: Steam Power Plants

• Revisiting the principles of thermodynamics
• Steam power plants
• Fire-tube boiler
• Water-tube boiler
• Steam drum
• Superheaters and reheaters
• Steam turbines
• Condensers
• Feedwater heaters
• Concept of efficiency and heat rate
• Supercritical plants
• Cogeneration arrangements
• Financial aspects of cogeneration units

Unit 2: Steam Turbines and Auxiliaries

• Classifications of turbines
• Compound turbines
• Control mechanisms for turbines
• Maintenance and management of steam turbines
• Familiarization with steam generators, heat exchangers, and condensers
• Monitoring of power station operating parameters
• Turbine governing systems
• Steam glands and valves
• Turbine overcurrent protective devices
• Turbine instrumentation system
• Lubrication systems
• Gland sealing systems
• Balancing, vibration analysis, and statistical maintenance of turbine-generators
• Enhancing the reliability and maintainability of steam turbines

Unit 3: Gas Turbines and Compressors

• Basics of gas turbines
• General gas turbine summary
• Gas turbine outline
• Gas turbine empirical formulas
• Gas turbine plant auxiliaries
• Cyclical combinations
• Single shaft combined cycle power plants
• Economic and technical considerations for combined cycle performance enhancement
• Dynamic technology of compressors
• Off-design performance due to compressor stall and surge
• Components and performance characteristics of centrifugal compressors
• Performance of dynamic compressors
• Seal systems for compressors
• Principles of dry seals and advanced sealing techniques, including magnetic bearings

Unit 4: Power Plants of Cogeneration, Wind Power, and Solar Energy

• Uses and advantages of cogeneration and combined cycle power plants
• Selection criteria for combined cycles and cogeneration systems
• Factors to consider regarding cogeneration usage
• Overview of the University of Toronto's Central Steam, cogeneration, and district heating facility
• Financial analysis of combined cycle cogeneration plants
• Power generation using wind energy
• Costs involved in wind energy generation
• Wind turbine generators: brushless double feed generator
• Power generation from solar radiation
• Photovoltaic solar energy devices
• Costs and benefits of solar energy systems

Unit 5: Transformers and Generators

• Review of electric systems
• Basic principles of machinery
• Power transformer
• Parts of transformers and their maintenance
• Basics of alternating current machines
• Synchronous motor generators
• Identification of major components of generators, including main and auxiliary systems and exciting systems
• Knowledge of inspection, testing, and maintenance of generators