Author(s)

Ezenwa A. Ogbonnaya

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The ability to predict the behaviour of a gas turbine engine and optimize its performance is critical in eco-nomic, thermal and condition monitoring studies. Having identified fouling as one of the major sources of compressor and therefore gas turbine deterioration, a computer-based engine model was developed to optimize the performance of gas turbines. The paper thus presents an analysis of compressor hand cleaning, on and offline compressor washing to actualize the technique using a computer program in Visual Basic programming language with data collected over a period of fifteen weeks for 2 gas turbine plants GT1 and GT2. The results of the data collected, when collated, shows that after washing, the overall operational efficiency changed from 39.2% to 46.25%. To optimize the performance of gas turbine engines, it is therefore recommended that operators should perform a combination of compressor hand cleaning, offline and online washing simultaneously.

Gas Turbine, Turbomachinery Components, Fouling, Performance Optimization, Operational Practices, Compressor Water Washing

E. Ogbonnaya, "Gas Turbine Performance Optimization Using Compressor Online Water Washing Technique," Engineering, Vol. 3 No. 5, 2011, pp. 500-507. doi: 10.4236/eng.2011.35058.