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Atomizing Air

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Atomizing Air
The Atomizing Air system provides compressed air for atomization of liquid fuel in the
combustion system. The Atomizing Air is introduced through supplementary orifices in the
fuel nozzles. The discharge from these nozzles impinges directly upon the liquid fuel oil
spray as it enters the combustion chambers. The high velocity Atomizing Air stream
shears the droplets of fuel into very small pieces, yielding a fine mist. The fine mist of fuel
burns more completely in the combustion chamber, yielding significantly higher
combustion efficiency, and lower levels of combustion particles discharging to
atmosphere through the exhaust.

In addition to supplying air for atomization of liquid fuel, the Atomizing Air system also
supplies purge air to the liquid fuel and water injection nozzles when the gas turbine is
operating on gas fuel. Immediately following shut down, the Atomizing Air Compressor
can be run to purge and cool the Atomizing Air, Water Injection, and Liquid Fuel nozzles.
Provisions can also be made to use the Atomizing Air module to purge the Atomizing Air
and Liquid Fuel piping during off-line water washes.

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Power Systems University
Atomizing Air
Air is supplied to the Liquid Fuel/Atomizing Air Module from an extraction manifold at the
Gas Turbine Compressor Discharge (see Cooling and Sealing Air Piping Schematic MLI
0417). This air enters the LF/AA Module, and passes through the Precooler. The
temperature of the air leaving the Precooler is controlled to 225F at high air mass flow
conditions, but may be lower at part-load air flow conditions. Downstream of the
Precooler, the air passes through a Moisture Separator with a continuous blowdown
drain. This device separates out most of the entrained moisture droplets in the atomizing
air stream. Two identical temperature switches and the Cooling Water Temperature
Control Thermocouple are provided in the line downstream of the Moisture Separator.
The switches have a 275F set point, and are intended to signal an alarm if the Precooler
fails to adequately cool the incoming air. Further downstream of the Moisture Separator,
the air passes through a 2 micron Filter arrangement. Upstream of the Filter, the air
proceeds to the purge air tee, where it splits into one of two paths. One path enters the
atomizing air compressor inlets, the alternate path bypasses around the air compressor.

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Power Systems University
Atomizing Air

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Power Systems University
Atomizing Air
Atomizing Air Operation
When the gas turbine is operating on liquid fuel, the AA Module supplies high pressure air
for fuel atomization. Air flows to the Air Compressors/Motor arrangement. The
compressor is supplied with a flow of lubricant from the Lube Oil system. Triple redundant
Differential Pressure Switches monitor the differential pressure across the Atomizing Air
Compressor and signal an alarm in the event of low pressure rise. While operating as an
Atomizing Air Compressor, it has a pressure ratio of approximately 1.54:1. The
temperature of the air leaving the Compressor is approximately 350F when its inlet
temperature is 225F. Downstream of the AA Compressor the air flows through the fully
open Atomizing Air D/S Throttling Valve. Downstream of the valve, the air passes through
the fully open Atomizing Air Scavenging Valve. For liquid fuel operation, it will also be
driven fully open in response to a signal from the Mk V and it will have a negligible
pressure drop. The air then exits the Liquid Fuel/Atomizing Air Module then enters the
Atomizing Air Manifold, which supplies air to the combustion chambers via 14 flexible
hose pigtails. The absolute pressure at the connection to the combustion chamber end-
cover is approximately 1.35 to 1.4 times Gas Turbine Compressor Discharge Pressure
(CDP).

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Power Systems University
Atomizing Air
Gas Fuel Operation
For gas turbine operation with gas fuel, the system supplies moderate pressure air for
liquid fuel system purge, and for cooling the Atomizing Air, and Water Injection Nozzles.
The system operates as follows under these circumstances: The Atomizing Air
Compressor is not running. The air bypasses the AA Compressor via the purge tee,
located between the Moisture Separator and the Air Filter. This air is at approximately
Gas Turbine Compressor Discharge Pressure (CDP) and 225F. The air passes through
the Purge Tuning Orifice equipped with a Manual Tuning Valve. This Tuning Orifice is
sized to deliver a 0.95 pressure ratio with the Manual Bypass Valve completely closed.
With the Manual Bypass Valve in the fully open position, the purge system will deliver
approximately a 0.985 pressure ratio to the liquid fuel, water injection and atomizing air
circuits. Previous testing demonstrated that to achieve acceptable combustion dynamics
the system pressure ratio needed to be reduced to 0.970 0.975. With the Manual
Bypass Valve around the Tuning Orifice, the system pressure ratio can be Dialed in
initially at Full Speed-No Load (FSNL) to a nominal value 0.9725,

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