Performance Analysis and Optimization of Three Spool Aero Derivative Gas Turbine Fueled with Liquid Hydrogen

The aim of this paper is the performance investigation of the influence on the overall performance of three spool aero derivative gas turbine on the basis of liquid hydrogen fuel. Firstly, a mathematical model of a three spool aero derivative gas turbine was established and translated into computer language to conduct the performance simulation. Besides, an innovative physical parameter model based on hydrogen combustion was proposed during the research process and the simulation results were verified by reliable data. This study focus on the performance changing principle of the three spool gas turbine after fueled with liquid hydrogen and makes a comparison with the results obtained from engines using conventional fuels. Considering the deep cooing and high heat sink properties of liquid hydrogen, three performance optimization schemes for the three spool gas turbine were introduced and deeply analyzed the changes in engine performance parameters after optimization. At last, the investigation conducted on the optimized schemes based on cold energy of liquid hydrogen has demonstrated that performance of the three spool gas turbine can be improved apparently. Among the optimized cycles, the two-stage cooling cycle benefits most in power output while the improved scheme of cooling exhaust gas to recover water and injecting it back in to the combustion chamber can not only improve engine performance but also reduce the emission of nitrogen oxide. However, both schemes require certain modifications to the gas turbine which will affect the reliability and economy of the engine. To sum up, the scheme of combining inlet air cooling with fuel reheating is more feasible and can achieve considerable performance benefits. The research methods and conclusions mentioned in this paper are also applicable to aero gas turbines. In the future, it is necessary to make a profound research in areas such as hydrogen fuel regulation systems and hydrogen combustion stability and so on.