Operating Performance

OpFlex™ Autotune

New autotuning capability

For many GE 7FA+e turbines occasional retuning may be required to maintain proper operating margins for NOx and dynamics levels. Compressor inlet temperatures, humidity, variations in fuel properties and drift in fuel valve calibration are among the primary drivers of these Dry Low NOx (DLN) combustion dynamics and emissions levels.

OpFlex AutoTune is designed to help reduce operational costs by eliminating the need for combustion retuning due to these primary drivers, and increasing availability of gas turbine performance through real time continuous tuning year round.

OpFlex AutoTune builds upon all OpFlex Wide Wobbe functionality and represents the next generation for GE gas turbine controls. Utilizing this 7FA+e proven technology has enhanced and expanded the role of Model-Based Control (MBC) as the solution for operational and tuning flexibility.

Benefits

  • Eliminates the need for combustion retuning for variations in ambient conditions (i.e., seasonal tuning)
  • Enables continuous, reliable operation of the unit with up to +/-5% variation in Modified Wobbe Index
  • Adds customer-adjustable NOx and CO targets to account for potential emissions-reporting equipment variation and emissions savings
  • Reduces combustion dynamics events
  • Reduces non-compliance NOx and CO events

Applicable to GE 7FA+e (PG7241) gas turbines with DLN2.6 combustors, Mark™ Ve or Mark VI control systems with Combustion Dynamics Monitoring systems.

More About OpFlex™ Solutions

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Call: 1-800-4GE-FAST

GE
4200 Wildwood Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

OpFlex™ Cold Day Performance

Additional Power When the Temperature is Less than 59ºF

Additional performance and heat-rate advancements are now achievable through GE’s OpFlex Cold Day Performance system.

This OpFlex solution was designed to provide both increased capacity for the 7FA+e gas turbine as well increased exhaust energy, which will greatly benefit combined-cycle users.

Benefits

  • Ability to increase output by up to 9MW on each simple-cycle gas turbine
  • 207FA combined-cycle plant users can expect up to an additional 16MW and 0.7% better heat rate on a 30ºF day; even greater improvements may be realized on colder days
  • Eliminates the need for combustion re-tuning due to variation in ambient temperature, humidity and fuel composition
  • Helps reduce NOx and CO emissions excursions
  • Emissions levels can be maintained while increasing capacity and improving heat rate

Applicable to GE 7FA+e (PG7241) gas turbines with DLN2.6 combustors, Mark™ Ve or Mark™ VI control system and GE Continuous Dynamics Monitoring (CDM).


  
OpFlex™ Turndown, Airflow and Peak


Expand Operational Range and Flexibility

To meet the demands of a changing power industry, GE Energy has developed a series of enhancements designed to expand the operating profile of its 7FA+e (PG7241) gas turbine while maintaining existing emission levels. Through Advanced Fuel Scheduling, a proprietary method of method of controlling fuel distribution, GE’s OpFlex enhancements broaden the gas turbine’s operating range, increasing flexibility and potential profitability.

OpFlex enhancements provide up to 6.5% more power output for higher base-load and peak-load periods and up to 10% of additional "turndown" capability for low-load operation.

OpFlex Airflow: This product provides the opportunity to increase the output of the unit above the existing operational range by increasing the compressor flow capacity.

OpFlex Peak: The peak fire functionality provides customers the ability to effectively operate the turbine to a higher firing temperature while maintaining NOx < 15 ppm (31mg/Nm3) when demand for more output capacity is at a premium.

OpFlex Turndown: This enhancement extends the operating range at which emissions levels can be maintained to lower load levels by increasing gas turbine turndown capability.

Benefits

  • Increased revenue potential from higher base-load and peak-load output
  • Lower fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions with extended turndown capability
  • Improved reliability with more stable combustor operation

Applicable to GE 7FA+e (PG7241) gas turbines with DLN2.6 combustors and Mark™ V or higher controls.