Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems introduces 63% efficient, 540MW JAC gas turbine; -70% CO2 compared to older coal-fired plants
13 December 2016
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) has introduced the M501JAC, an enhanced air-cooled J-Series gas turbine offering an unmatched combination of record output, efficiency and a proven 99.5% reliability during 11,000 hours of commercial operation. The MHPS JAC operates with a combined cycle output of 540 MW and efficiency exceeding 63%. Replacing older coal-fired power plants with the enhanced JAC can reduce CO2 emissions nearly 70%.
Seven technical selections by utilities and independent power producers in just the past few months are providing industry endorsement of the revolutionary JAC. A technical selection is one of the first steps in developing a new power plant. It means that if the power plant is constructed and commissioned, it will use MHPS gas turbines. Following technical selection, a developer will proceed with securing financing, permitting and more.
MHPS says it has more Advanced Class Gas Turbines (ACGT) operating around the globe than the next two competitors. Following up on the success of its steam-cooled and air-cooled G-series gas turbines, MHPS has already sold 45 steam-cooled J-series turbines, with 21 turbines currently in operation having racked up more than 335,000 hours of commercial operation at an unprecedented 99.3% reliability. The enhanced JAC gas turbine adds an air-cooled combustor to the proven steam-cooled J-series.
To convert the J-series from steam cooling to air cooling, modifications were made to the combustor and thermal barrier coatings were enhanced in the turbine section to allow for the higher firing temperature. The MHPS JAC offers plant operators enhanced flexibility through the use of air cooling technology.
The JAC maintains the long-standing features of a compressor shaft end drive, two-bearing rotor structure, axial flow exhaust, bolt-connected discs with torque pins on the compressor rotor and the CURVIC couplings on the turbine rotor discs. All are proven designs for reliable operation. When turbine servicing is required, horizontally split casings facilitate field removal of the blades and vanes with the rotor in place.
MHPS J-series turbines are digitally enabled, providing customers with real-time adaptive control and actionable knowledge by utilizing sensor and control system data to create the “Voice of the Plant.” MHPS digital solutions optimize plant performance, avoid unplanned downtime and enable predictive maintenance.
MHPS JAC units are being built and shipped from the Savannah Machinery Works in Georgia, as well as the Takasago Works in Japan.
They can be used to burn hydrogen made from electrolysis of renewable energy and the hydrogen can be stored in scale in depleted gas fields. This is one scalable way to deal with renewable intermittency. Another way to deal scalable with renewable intermittency is large stone heat sinks heated to 600 degrees Celsius that can be used to power conventional steam turbines.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 13 December 2016 at 03:19 AM
It's a combined cycle efficiency rating.
Natural gas combustion within a turbine is attune to internal combustion engine wherein a containment surrounds the event. The higher pressure will generate higher efficiency. Higher temperatures and pressures = more efficiency. The poor old coal fire is an external combustion event much like steam engine power.
The natural gas carbon rating is superior as compared to coal, especially since the N.G. has a portion of hydrogen.
We need to lighten up the regulation process and put some incentives to the task of pushing these turbines power generation plants within a energy park. They exhaust good quality heat. Ethanol dehydration could utilize the heat.
Posted by: Trees | 13 December 2016 at 02:17 PM
Use this turbine in all power plant and reduce the price of electricity accordinly. Also try to build and commercialise a gasoline serial hybrid with this turbine that should do over 150 mpg. Actually im doing 35 mpg and this is awful bad and i want to climb well over 100 mpg for a cheap price.
Posted by: gorr | 13 December 2016 at 02:28 PM
Using the waste heat for processes should have been done decades ago.
We have been very energy wasteful.
Posted by: SJC | 15 December 2016 at 10:54 AM