May 2015 - Power Air Quality Insights 207

We will be continuing our discussion of issues and options with the goal of improving gas turbine intake system on May 21. The live discussion in Charlotte two weeks ago is displayed below. The discussion on the 21^st will be broader and cover all aspects of the intake design, maintenance and operation.

The gas turbine inlet filter session at AFS in Charlotte on April 28 benefited from the knowledge of eight experts from system, filter and media companies. The repeating theme was that good operation and maintenance is necessary to minimize turbine deposition. Testing shows that filters relying on electrostatic attraction quickly lose efficiency as dust cake builds up on the media. A gap of only 1 mm between the filter and holding device results in a measurable drop in MERV rating. Many site specific problems are unique and cannot be anticipated without on-site pilot filters or through experience.

The unique discussion format relied on a set of power points which were only used for reference.

In terms of filter efficiency, the gas turbines are using F9 and EPA efficiency. Pre-filters are lower than F9 and are typically used in a 3-stage filter system. Higher efficiency (ULPA) are less common. However among EPA/HEPA filters, there can be a huge difference in particulate reaching the turbine. Tom Kelmartin used a 25 MW turbine as an example.

Filter Grade	Pounds of Contaminants
F9 (merv 15)	29
E 10 (H 10)	12.3
E 12 (H 12)	0.09

Gore filters are rated in the H-12 efficiency range and reduced contaminants to a small fraction of those produced by H-10 filters.

Lydall supplies media to meet the H-12 standards. The glass media is used in static filters. The membrane composites are used in both pulse and static filters. The composites are better in terms of water resistance and oil management.

Donaldson’s Turbo-Tek H2 O+ provides H-12 efficiency with a multi-layer media which is water-tight and salt repellent for harsh coastal environments. The depth-loading media captures and distributes dust particles throughout the media providing a lower initial pressure drop, extend life and fuel savings and high burst strength. Eli Ross of Donaldson referenced the extensive pulsed cartridge experience.

Ina Parker of Ahstrom, Mike Garnett of Freudenberg, Mike Malloy and Andrew Boni of Hollingsworth & Vose agreed as to the importance of test standards and procedures. Since electrostatic charges are dissipated in use, it is important to qualify filter media based on the efficiency in a discharged condition. The most recent EN 779 standard promulgated in 2012 does provide this requirement.

There was also agreement on the need to test filters in the actual environment rather than under lab conditions. Ahlstrom has their” Flying Ductchman” which is a mobile test facility. It samples the actual inlet air on site.

Relative to static versus pulsed filters, Tom Kelmartin showed comparisons with more constant pressure drop with the pulsed filters. This can translate into higher output.

We need to identify the use of pre-filter media and certain components. Several of the exhibitors and speakers are serving the gas turbine market but are not sure exactly where their products are used due to the fact that they sell to OEMS who make the use determination. Dan Oberle of Henkel was a speaker and provided general information on their adhesives. Franklin Adhesives was an exhibitor. Both are serving the market. Dexmet was an exhibitor. They supply mesh for internal core and media support. Everist filter media was exhibited by PGI. Its use in pre-filters needs further clarification.

The inlet filter system has a large impact on gas turbine economics. Initial filter selection and O&M procedures are important. Most operators are interested in improving their systems. One utility has a program to upgrade the filter intakes for more than 50 individual units. The utility is coordinating this effort through an engineer who is delighted to be using Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Decision Program from McIlvaine in his endeavors.

As was the case in Charlotte, the discussion foundation will be the Gas Turbine Air Treatment Route Map and Summary We will be adding additional material to the GTCC Decisions Orchard. We are looking for case histories, white papers, conference presentations, etc. We are also looking for comments on issues and options. We are encouraging the turbine owners to submit questions which the experts can address in the discussions. Here is a summary of the program:

GTCC Decisions is a program available at no charge to gas turbine operators. There is a cost to others: Gas Turbine and Combined Cycle Decisions. Webinars are included in the subscription at no charge but are $300/webinar for non-subscribers.

· Decision guides including one on gas turbine inlet filters. Each guide is displayed on a separate web page and includes:

Pattern Development Completes Financing and Starts Construction of Amazon Wind Farm Project in Indiana

Construction is ramping up at the Amazon Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge) project. Pattern Energy Group LP announced the closing of financing on the 150 megawatt (MW) Amazon Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge) project located in Benton County, IN. The project has entered into a 13-year power purchase agreement with Amazon to supply electricity to the electric grids that service Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) datacenters.

The Amazon Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge) project will utilize 65 Siemens 2.3 MW turbines with 'Made in America' components. The turbine blades are being manufactured at the Siemens factory in Ft. Madison, IA and the nacelles are being assembled at the Siemens facility in Hutchinson, KS. The turbine towers will be sourced from Michigan and Wisconsin. Transformers for the project will be manufactured at the Siemens facility in Richland, MS.

The Amazon Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge) project will employ approximately 300 skilled workers on-site at the peak of construction activity and create up to 15 permanent jobs once operational. The project is expected to start generating power in the fourth quarter of 2015. Mortenson Construction will manage construction of the project. Local contractors will be utilized during construction and operations.

Southern Company Subsidiary Tops 1,000 MW of Renewable Energy Development with North Star Solar Acquisition

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power, has surpassed 1,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy development with the acquisition of a controlling interest in the 60-MW North Star Solar Facility in California from First Solar, Inc. The remaining interest in the project will be owned by an affiliate of First Solar.

First Solar will build, operate and maintain the North Star Solar Facility. Construction began in July 2014, and the plant is expected to enter commercial operation this June. The facility is expected to be capable of generating enough electricity to help meet the energy needs of more than 21,000 average homes.

The electricity and associated renewable energy credits generated by the facility will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). Headquartered in San Francisco, PG&E provides energy to approximately 16 million people in Northern and Central California.

New Renewable Energy Project at Sunshine Canyon Landfill Capable of Powering Nearly 25,000 Los Angeles Area Homes

Republic Services, Inc. announced a new landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) project located at Sunshine Canyon Landfill near Los Angeles. The 20-megawatt renewable energy project is capable of generating enough electricity to power nearly 25,000 area homes.

Republic Services partnered with Sunshine Gas Producers, a joint venture between DTE Biomass Energy and Aria Energy, to develop the Sunshine Canyon LFGTE project.

Republic Services operates eight LFGTE projects in the State of California, and 73 total LFGTE projects nationwide. Combined, these projects capture and convert enough landfill gas into energy to power more than 250,000 homes per year.

Blackbird International Corporation Signs Agreement for a JV $500 Million 500 MW Wave Power Plant in Guinea-Bissau

Blackbird International Corporation, a global leader in renewable sea wave energy technology (WERPO), is pleased to announce that it signed an agreement with the government of Guinea-Bissau for the development of a 500 MW sea wave power plant along the coastline of Guinea-Bissau at a value of $500 million dollars.

The project will be a Joint Venture with the Government of Guinea-Bissau whereas the Government will have a 30 percent partnership and earn 40 percent of the profits for a period of 25 Years.

BBRD is forecasting the costs of the project at an estimated US$325 million for the entire project. The government of Guinea-Bissau is obliged by the contract to pay 10 cents per KWH and our projections are for $50 million yearly revenue from this contract. Current estimates are that the actual planning and building will take three years until completion.

This project will help Guinea-Bissau become more independent with a stable power supply that can solve all the energy problems in the country.

Sunrun and Tesla Collaborate to Offer Consumers Home Energy Storage Nationwide

Sunrun, the largest dedicated residential solar company in the U.S., announced its collaboration with Tesla Motors, Inc. to expand access to renewable energy storage systems for homeowners across the country. As part of the agreement, AEE Solar, the leading nationwide distributor of solar products and a subsidiary of Sunrun will add Tesla's recently announced Powerwall Home Battery to its line of storage offerings sold for use in homes.

"We believe the next evolution of solar as a service is home solar paired with storage and we look forward to adding Tesla and its new energy storage for consumers to our extensive line of battery offerings," said Paul Winnowski, Sunrun's chief operating officer. "This partnership builds upon Sunrun's approach to grow consumer adoption of home solar through a variety of channels and partners."

· NTPC to cut emissions across Facilities in India starting with 40 year-old Coal-fired Power Plant near Delhi

· Areva to supply Nuclear spent Fuel Storage Units for Nine Mile Point Nuclear Station

· Construction on Egypt’s First Nuclear Power Plant is scheduled to start in mid-2016

· $1.6 Trillion Investment in New Coal-fired Power Plants over the Next Decade

· Wet Calcium FGD “Hot Topic Hour” on May 14 will focus on Issues and Options

On Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Central time, McIlvaine hosts a 90 minute web meeting on important energy and pollution control subjects. These Webinars are free of charge to owner/operators of the plants. They are also free to McIlvaine Subscribers of Power Plant Air Quality Decisions and Utility Tracking System. The cost for others is $300.00 per webinar.

See below for information on upcoming Hot Topic Hours. We welcome your input relative to suggested additions.

DATE	SUBJECT	DESCRIPTION
May 21, 2015	Gas Turbine Intake Filters	More Information
May 28, 2015	No webinar but on-site interviews at Industrial Valve Summit in Bergamo, Italy
June 4, 2015	Power Plant Valves	More Information
June 11, 2015	SO3 Removal Options	More Information
June 18, 2015	Hot Gas Filtration	More Information
June 25, 2015	Mercury Removal Options	More Information

Company	Name
Ahlstrom	Ina Parker
Clarcor	Steve Hiner
Donaldson	Eli Ross
Freudenberg	Mike Garnett
Hollingsworth & Vose	Andre Boni Mike Malloy
Lydall	Geoff Crosby
W.L. Gore	Tom Kelmartin
AAF	Kent Mertz