Reducing gas turbine emissions with cleaner, greener engines

Why reduce emissions?

Aside from wanting to keep the planet as pollution-free as possible, there is at least one other compelling reason to try and reduce your gas turbine emissions.

At the end of 2018, The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 were implemented, setting targets for users of engines and generator sets to reduce their emissions.

It’s a hot topic at the moment and has prompted people to shift to gas turbines instead.

Although that solves one problem, it has caused another.

The shift from one system to another has meant a rise in unburnt hydrocarbon emissions, which have a startling greenhouse gas effect.

As more and more users make the switch, it surely won’t be long before harsher restrictions and regulations are brought in for gas turbines as well.

Should you invest in a new system?

If you already use a gas turbine, exchanging it for a more efficient version is an option. However, it is certainly not a low cost solution.

If there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with your gas turbine, the money and time you would spend replacing it or its components seems not only wasteful but unnecessary.

Reduce emissions through gas turbine cleaning

Another method of reducing your emissions is to run as clean and efficient a turbine as possible.

The simple act of introducing a regular, effective cleaning schedule would not only reduce emissions but lower running costs and improve your bottom line.

As you use your gas turbine, the compressor inevitably accumulates foulants.

This cannot be helped as impurities enter the system in several ways, including via the air and essential lubricants.

Once heated and placed under extreme pressure, tiny foulants build up on the inside of the compressor, interrupting airflow.

The key part of this is that the system has become inefficient. More and more fuel is needed and more and more is wasted, unburnt.

As efficiency decreases, polluting emissions increase and it is, unfortunately, inevitable.

However, regular gas turbine compressor cleaning removes the foulants to bring the turbine back to a healthy running order. A regular schedule using the right products reduces emissions with the bonus of lowering running costs.

Gas turbine cleaning

When it comes to gas turbine compressor cleaning, you have two main options: 

• Off-line cleaning, where the turbine is completely stopped and the compressor is manually, and thoroughly cleaned.
• On-line cleaning, where the compressor is cleaned during normal operation.

A combination of both methods is the ideal way to maintain a clean, efficient system.

How to carry out on-line gas turbine clean?

On-line cleaning can be undertaken during normal operation. There is no down-time and you do not have the same labour expenses as off-line cleans.

The Rochem and delivery system can be easily retrofitted in almost every case.

Once in place, this system facilitates effective cleaning by injecting atomised gas turbine cleaner into the compressor.

It is a gentle process which minimises damage to blades and coatings while effectively removing foulants. 

With a clean, efficient system, you will not only save money on wasted fuel but extend the life of your compressor and .

Find out more​

Reducing emissions will almost certainly become a bigger and bigger priority as time goes on.

Initiating an effective cleaning schedule with the right equipment and gas turbine cleaners will prepare you for changes to the law, avoiding hasty amendments to practice in the future.

If you want to reduce emissions while simultaneously saving money with a more efficient system, .

We can advise on the installation of our delivery system and talk through our range of specialist gas turbine cleaning solutions, which are ideally suited to the task.