Gas turbine inlet filtration
Clean intake air protects turbine blades and holds output up. Pulse cleaning of the inlet filter house keeps the pressure loss low without stopping the turbine.
A gas turbine swallows enormous volumes of air. Every particle that gets through the inlet filter erodes or fouls the compressor blades, which costs output and fuel efficiency. Self cleaning inlet filter houses use pleated cartridges that are pulsed clean in service.
Diaphragm valves on the header tank fire a compressed air pulse into each cartridge pair, driving the dust off the media and out of the weather hood. Because the turbine keeps running, valve reliability and pulse repeatability matter more here than anywhere else.
Typical installation
- Header tanks in carbon or stainless steel, often with a marine or offshore coating
- Goyen or Mecair valves with a fast opening time and a high flow coefficient
- Pilot valves in weatherproof or explosion proof enclosures
- A controller with pulse on demand based on differential pressure across the filter house
Common challenges
- Loss of turbine output caused by rising pressure drop across the inlet filters
- Salt, sand or industrial haze quickly blinding the media
- Freezing conditions blocking pilot lines and valve exhausts
- Limited maintenance windows, so components have to run for years without failure
Industries
- Power generation
- Oil and gas
- Offshore
- Petrochemicals
- District heating
- Cogeneration
Questions
Can the filters be cleaned while the turbine is running?
Yes. That is exactly what a self cleaning inlet filter house does. The pulse is short enough that the airflow through the turbine is not disturbed.
Which valves are used for turbine inlets?
Fast acting Goyen and Mecair diaphragm valves, usually 1.5 inch or 2 inch, chosen for a high flow coefficient and a short opening time so the whole cartridge is cleaned in one pulse.
Do you supply stainless steel and offshore versions?
Yes. Header tanks and piping are available in stainless steel with offshore coatings, and enclosures can be supplied in an ATEX version for hazardous areas.
How do I avoid freezing problems?
Dry compressed air, heated or insulated pilot lines and correctly positioned exhausts prevent most winter failures. We review the layout with you.