Frequently-asked Questions about Turbine Generator Inlet Cooling
How does the indirect evaporative Everest Cycle® Work?
The primary turbine inlet air stream is cooled through our extremely efficient cross flow heat exchanger. On one side of the heat exchanger a secondary air stream is cooled using evaporation („adiabatic cooling”) and then used to extract heat from a primary turbine inlet air stream through the heat exchange walls. This cooling process does not introduce moisture into the primary inlet air stream and resembles a chilling cycle („sensible cooling”). Unlike mechanical chilling, the associated low parasitic power draw of the indirect evaporative cooling cycle is similar to those of traditional evaporative techniques.
The Everest Cycle is the first step in our hybrid turbine inlet cooling products. Additional cooling components further cool the inlet air stream. The ECOCool product lowers inlet air below the ambient wet bulb using this hybrid approach. ECOChill provides chilled inlet air at target inlet temperatures but uses a fraction of the parasitic power that conventional refrigeration systems require.
How much can the Everest Science indirect evaporative hybrid systems help?
Depending on operating conditions and turbine type, our prducts can improve turbine power output by as much as 40% on hot weather days while lowering heat rate by as much as 10-15%. The low power consuming hybrid system promises higher NET power output and lower heat rates than any conventional turbine inlet cooling process.
What is the material of construction?
Stainless Steel construction is the primary material of construction. Our units reflect a simple design with few moving parts, and industrial grade components for long life of installed components.
Are the turbine inlet cooling systems modular?
The Everest Sciences® multi-staged airflow turbine inlet cooling and optional filtration systems are factory packaged as stand-alone, skidded units. We design our systems modularly such that they can be transported fully assembled prior to reaching the field. This minimizes turbine downtime and field installation work.
What sort of filtration does the system provide?
Everest Sciences offers a standard double barrier filtration system on their units when a standard filtration package is desired. Pre-filters are rated MERV 11 and final filtration are rated MERV 16. This combination exceeds many common gas turbine inlet air requirements. Other filtration options also exist as Everest Sciences products work with most commercially available filtration media. Please inquire for specific turbine inlet filtration options.
How operator-friendly is the system?
The Everest Sciences systems are "blank sheet designs" addressing many of the concerns gas turbine operators face. Our design allows for access to all normal maintenance items while the gas turbine remains in operation. Extensive effort has been made keeping the maintenance technician in mind. Accessibility for routine maintenance actions has been optimized with the operator in mind. Turbine operation can continue while performing all regular maintenance routines.