SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING THERMAL EFFICIENCY OF DRY LOW EMISSIONS COMBUSTOR ASSEMBLIES

摘要

A gas turbine engine system having improved thermal efficiency, which comprises: (1) an inlet air stream (66); and (2) a dry low emissions combustor assembly (22) having an air inlet (156) for receiving the inlet air stream, at least one bleed air port and an air outlet (157) for discharging at least a portion of the received air from the inlet air stream (66). This system includes a source of warmer air capable of raising the ambient temperature of the inlet air stream (66) received by the air inlet (156) of the dry low emissions combustor assembly (22) while operating at a partial load until the system reaches a new equilibrium state having improved thermal efficiency. Also disclosed is a method for improving the thermal efficiency of the dry low emissions combustor assembly (22), which comprises the step of including a source of warmer air with the inlet air stream (66) received by the air inlet (156) of the dry low emissions combustor assembly (22) while operating at a partial load until the system reaches a new equilibrium state having improved thermal efficiency.