Based on new challenges in the fossil fuel industry, combined cycle technology is a leading solution in improving efficiency and reducing emissions. Many organizations have considered or are considering the placement and development of new combined cycle plants. This course will explain how these plants operate and what the advantages are of moving into the combined cycle arena. The basics of the chemistry of heat and energy will be shown in order for participants to understand how plants function. All major components of the plant will be discussed and reviewed, including turbines, generators, and emission-control systems. Complete operation and maintenance of the combined cycle system will be discussed. Participants will complete the course with an understanding of how plants function efficiently, from the introduction of fuel into the plant to the generation and transmission of electricity.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the basic concepts of energy conversion, namely conversion of chemical energy to electricity
• Review the basic concepts of temperature, work, and heat in power plant operation
• Identify the basic components of a combined cycle power plant and how they work together to produce energy
• Discuss the basics of fuel combustion and how fuels are prepared and combusted in a combustion turbine
• Review the basic components of a heat recovery steam generator and how they work together to produce steam energy
• Identify the basic components of a steam turbine and how the turbine transforms steam energy from the heat recovery steam generator into mechanical energy
• Identify the basic components of the electrical generator and how the generator transforms mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy
• Identify the basic components of an electrical switchyard and how it works to transmit electrical energy into the electrical transmission and distribution systems outside of the power plant
• Review the operation and maintenance of a combined cycle plant

 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2022

Power Plant Primer

• Power plant concepts
• Examples of power plants
• Basic energy concepts
• Heat and energy
• Work and heat in power plants

Chemistry

• First law of thermodynamics
• Input = output at steady state
• Natural gas combustion
• Stoichiometry
• Excess air
• Heating value

Combined Cycle Plant Equipment

• Basic plant equipment
• Combustion turbine
• HRSG
• Steam turbine
• Cycle efficiency
• Equipment arrangement

Gas Turbines

• Types
• How they work
• Applications
• Components
• Flow paths

Heat Recovery Steam Generator

• Description and functions of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG)
• Types and configurations of HRSGs
• How an HRSG produces steam
• Components of an HRSG
• Design considerations
• Fabrication considerations

Steam Turbines

• Impulse and reaction turbines
• Turbine classifications, designations, and arrangements
• Technology advances
• Overview of steam turbine components
• Steam flow control
• Rotors
• Casings
• Bearings
• Blades
• Seals

Emissions Control

• Gas turbine emission pollutants
• Emissions control technologies and applications
• Dry low NOx burners
• Water injection
• Steam injection
• Frame and aeroderivative engines

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022

Electrical Systems and Generators

• Example line diagrams
• VAR control
• Electrical equipment
• AC generators
• Switchgear
• Step-up transformers
• Emergency equipment

Balance of Plant Equipment

• Equipment in the cycle diagram
• Pumps
• Cooling systems
• Fuel supply
• Water supply
• Electrical supply
• Fire protection

Water Treatment, Instrumentation, and Controls

• Water treatment systems
• Instrumentation
• Main control systems and interlocks

Maintenance

• Gas turbine maintenance
• Steam turbine maintenance
• Generator maintenance

Operations

• Gas turbine operations
• Steam turbine operations
• Generator operations

Review

Carl R. Bozzuto
Honorary Member, The Council of Industrial Boiler Owners

Carl Bozzuto has over 50 years of experience in combustion and boiler operations and research. He began his career as a research engineer, senior project engineer, manager, and director for Combustion Engineering Inc.  Carl was named Vice President of Process Technology for the company, where he was responsible for the development and commercialization of new boiler and power plant technologies, including advanced cycles, ultra-supercritical boilers, alternative working fluids, fluid bed boilers, plant integration, and other plant component technology. 

Serving recently as Vice President of Technology for the Power Environment Sector at Alstom Power Inc., he was responsible for the development and implementation of new technology for boiler and environmental products on a worldwide basis. Carl holds 18 U.S. patents and membership in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), the Combustion Institute, the Source Evaluation Society, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  He has authored more than 30 published technical papers and was Editor-in-Chief of the textbook Clean Combustion Technologies, published by Alstom Power in 2009.  He has earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree in management from the Hartford Graduate Center (RPI).