Caldwell Wet Compression Technology™

This technology is the most promising of all available technologies and is increasing in acceptance as a powerful means of enhancing turbine capacity. The main advantages of this technology are low cost, less footprint, less lead time, and more consistent capacity gains than any other technology. This is the only inlet air cooling technique that will give nearly the same consistent results at 50°F as it would at 90°F. As a result the payback is much quicker with this system. CWCT™ creates compressor inter-cooling, enhancing the turbine output in an 8-15% range. No other inlet cooling technology costs less per kW installed at this level of power augmentation. This technology is also complementary to other cooling technologies. It can be used along with inlet chilling or fogging.

The Performance Principle
Water spray evaporative inter-cooling of combustion turbines increases the power output, and reduces the specific fuel consumption (heat rate) by affecting the turbine cycle in three major ways:

1. Optimizing the working fluid of the compressor to increase its efficiency;
2. Increasing the overall turbine mass flow, and
3. Allowing constant firing temperature control systems to fire more fuel.

These three effects are combined to create a significant power output gain, and due to the increase of the compressor efficiency, improve the heat rate of the combustion turbine.

The Refinements
At Caldwell Energy, our expert engineers focus solely on how to best maximize the output and efficiency of combustion turbines. Using the best practices of over 200,000 hours of wet compression technology industry experience, we understand the physics of the turbine and will maintain its integrity throughout the process. There are three keys to proper system implementation:

1. Minimize water spray droplet size to control compressor blade erosion
2. Spray the water such that it is introduced in a uniform manner to the compressor of the combustion turbine, and
3. Schedule the water spray fog introduction to the compressor of the combustion turbine over a prudent amount of time.

Concept vs. Practical Application
The concept of increasing the output of combustion turbines by spraying water into the compressor is a simple one, but the application is not. Turbine casing distortion, extraction air effects, compressor blade erosion effects and excitation of combustion system dynamic pressures and control system response to upset and emergency conditions are important considerations of the application. Thus, the identification and mitigation of potential problem areas is addressed for each turbine type. CEC designs CWCT™ systems for each individual application. Many data-points are considered in optimizing the power augmentation effect.

The Cost
CEC believes in being rewarded for performance. The price of each CWCT™ system is defined by its ability to augment your plant’s output.

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