Sauer Compressors is proud to have played a role in a groundbreaking research and development project, a collaboration between Mitsubishi and Georgia Power. This innovative project marks a significant step toward cleaner energy solutions by successfully blending hydrogen and natural gas to fuel a massive 283-megawatt gas turbine.
The Project: Blending Hydrogen and Natural Gas
In a world-first achievement, the project team successfully fueled a 283-megawatt gas turbine with a 50% hydrogen and 50% natural gas blend. The results were remarkable, leading to a 22% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to using a natural gas-only turbine. Considering that Georgia Power generates approximately 40% of its annual power from natural gas, this breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the utility’s carbon footprint.
Sauer’s Contribution
Sauer Compressors provided an essential air supply for this critical project. Our two WP311L containers, along with receivers, filters, dryers, hoses, and power cabling from our SUSA Rentals
division, were instrumental in several key operations:
- Emergency Turbine Starts: Our compressors provided the high-pressure air needed to start the turbine in an emergency.
- Hydrogen Fueling Tip Cooling: The systems deliver air to cool the fueling tips, which is crucial for handling hydrogen safely.
- Pipework Drying: After the successful operation, our equipment was used to dry the existing pipework on-site.
Following the successful completion of the testing phase, Mitsubishi was so impressed with our equipment that they purchased quantity three WP311L Sauer compressors for the ongoing project. While our standard WP400 model is often a go-to choice, the WP311L was selected for its effective air-cooled design and robust capabilities. For this project, the control panel was supplied by JPSS and featured an IEC standard, rather than our typical NEMA standard.
Overcoming Project Challenges
This project presented unique challenges, particularly regarding the need for the equipment to function reliably in sub-freezing weather. Although the lowest ambient temperature can reach -15°C in a worst-case scenario, temperatures typically range from 0°C to 5°C. To address potential issues with oil viscosity, the client requested the installation of heat tracing. However, our engineering team confirmed that during operation, the heat generated by the compressor block would be sufficient to prevent the oil in the sump from becoming too viscous, thereby avoiding any operational problems.
The system was also designed with a custom control setup to meet the customer’s needs, connecting via a 4-20mA signal to their PLC instead of a Modbus RTU, ensuring seamless integration into their existing infrastructure.
At Sauer Compressors, we are committed to providing reliable and robust solutions for the most demanding applications, such as starting air in steam turbine power plants and enabling the gear rotation of the turbine to prevent rotor sagging. This project, in collaboration with Mitsubishi and Georgia Power, is a testament to our commitment to supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future.
You must be logged in to post a comment.