Snow Protection - Gas Turbine Inlet Systems
Snow can be a major problem for turbine inlets, particularly when associated with high winds. The density of falling snow is typically between 7% and 15% that of water, and this can reduce the effectiveness of traditional weather protection systems that rely on inertial separation.
Features & Benefits
The low density of snow, combined with the typically high aerodynamic drag of snowflakes, results in relatively low falling velocity of 0.5-1 m/s (100-200 FPM). The most effective way of protecting an inlet against snow is to use an extended area, 90 degree hood. The extended area of the hood minimizes the upwards component of the inlet flow that has a tendency to carry the snow with it. Because the hood is a full 90 degrees, the horizontal aspect to the snow fall (i.e. due to strong winds) is also counteracted.
