The Gas Turbine - A Climate Change Solution

Gas turbines play a very significant role in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Gas turbines are both more efficient and typically burn lower carbon fuels compared to other types of combustion-based power generation and mechanical drive applications. Gas turbines are found in a wide variety of applications and are available in a wide range of sizes. As climate change initiatives and regulations continue to evolve, so do the potential applications and markets for gas turbines.

Turbine Fuels
Natural Gas Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Associated Gas Landfill Gas Digester Gas Refinery Gas Coke Oven Gas Blast Furnace Gas Propane Ethanol Methanol Naphtha #2 Fuel Oil Kerosene Bio Diesel

Gas Turbine Applications

For fifty years, the gas turbine industry has been increasing the efficiency of their product through investment in research and development. Gas turbine technology evolution has steadily improved gas turbine performance to the point where the dependency on new coal fired plants for our nations power needs has declined over the last several decades. The displacement has resulted in a significant corresponding drop in greenhouse gas emissions per unit of power produced. Gas turbines currently generate approximately 18% of the electric power in the United States. In addition to Combined Cycle Natural Gas Power Plants, other gas turbine applications include:
On-site Cogeneration Distributed Generation Peaking Power Landfill Gas Fired Power Generation Digester Gas Fired Power Generation Natural Gas Transmission Liquid/Oil Pumping Gas Storage and Withdrawal Carbon Dioxide Compression for Industrial Processes and Enhanced Oil Recovery

Efficiency Is Key
CO2 Emissions
2500

2000

Lignite Fired Bituminous Steam Coal Fired Steam

CO2 lbm / MW-hr

1500

Oil Fired Steam

1000

Natural Gas Turbine Simple Cycle

Natural Natural Gas Gas Turbine Turbine Combined Combined Cycle Heat & Power

Gas turbines can reach combined cycle efficiencies of 60%, and quick-start simple cycle peaking units can reach 46%. The gas turbines clean exhaust can be used to create hot water, steam, or even chilled water. In such combined heat and power applications, overall system efficiency levels can reach 60 to 85% (on an LHV basis). This compares to 40-45% for even the most advanced thermal steam cycles (most of which are coal fired).

Low Carbon Fuels

Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels produces CO2 emissions. This is true regardless of the type of 0 thermodynamic cycle or engine that burns the fuel or what its efficiency might be. However, all fuels are not created equal. Fuels that contain a higher proportion of carbon produce more carbon dioxide. Natural Gas is the most common gas turbine fuel today. Composed of primarily methane (CH4), it contains the least amount of carbon of any currently viable fuel. Liquid distillate fuels (CnH2n) also have favorable carbon contents.
500

Additional Benefits
Reduced emissions of CO2 are not the only environmental benefit provided by gas turbines. Emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOX), oxides of sulfur (SOX), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM2.5) from gas turbines are at fractional levels of other combustion-based methods of power generation and mechanical drive applications.

The Gas Turbine Equation

High Thermodynamic Efficiency + Low Carbon Fuels = Low CO2 Emissions
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