Recently, a PSM customer power plant faced a tough dilemma. They had four (4) GE 7B gas turbines which were installed in 1974 they wanted to keep operating. However, a fast approaching state regulatory deadline dictated that in order to be kept operational, the unit’s NOx emissions had to be reduced by 60%. NOx emissions are a precursor to ground level ozone, a regulated pollutant. The plant was profitable, the region depended on the power and the local people depended on the jobs this plant provided. The owner simply had to find the right solution to justify what would be a significant capital investment.
PSM was approached by the customer to find that right solution. Leveraging our proven LEC-III™ Ultralow emission combustion system platform, PSM was able to develop an LEC-III™ system conversion package that allowed the units to maintain their 7B performance requirements without prohibitively expensive turbine section upgrades. This attractive LEC-III™-only system alternative, coupled with an Ovation™ gas turbine controller retrofit supported by Emerson, allowed the owner to avoid additional plant up-grades to their HRSG, Steam System, and most importantly, eet the state’s emission reduction requirement without having to re-approve their current air emission permit. This is a “first-of-its-kind” technology application of the LEC-III™ platform as these units represent the first Frame 7B-rated gas turbines in the world operating with ultra-low emission combustion systems.
