Gas turbine based power plants : technology and market status

This Note provides an overview of the issues related to the development, and utilization of gas-turbines (GT), when used either in open-cycle, or combined-cycle (CC), and is divided into three major parts: 1) natural gas-fired plants; 2) non-natural-gas fired plants utilizing fuels, such as low Btu gases, ash-forming fuels oils (e.g. crude oils and heavy oils), naphtha, condensates, or gases from the iron, and steel industry; and, 3) integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC). Technology and environmental performance, design, costs and trends in market demand are discussed. The paper indicates how ongoing research, and development trends can deliver further efficiency, and performance benefits.