ABSTRACT
In comparison to conventional natural gas turbines, the performance, effects of 100% hydrogen gas turbines in power generation are the focus of this study. The main goals are cutting carbon emissions and comprehending the advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen as a primary fuel. This is essential for future technology advancements, energy policies, and environmental sustainability. The Azura-Edo power plant in Nigeria, with three gas turbine unit rated 153MW, generates 461MW. The SGT5-2000E gas turbine operates on the Joule Brayton cycle principle, with 60% of generated mechanical energy consumed by the compressor. EBSILON professional, a modeling software, was used to simulate the power plant’s operations. The model used data from SGT5-2000E Brochures and the air ratio, to determine the combustion process’s efficiency. The model’s design performance was modeled using the air fuel ratio to maintain the operating temperature of the gas turbine. The outcome demonstrated that the discrepancy between the model data and the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) data was 0%, 0.0114%, 0.0115%, 0%, and 0% for net power, heat rate, net thermal efficiency, turbine exhaust temperature, and turbine exhaust mass flow rate, in that order. The model validation process showed that there is a good agreement between the model data and the ISO. When comparing the model values to the actual operating data, it was found that the compressor exit and flue gas mass flow rate increased linearly. The validation of results showed that the average error between the model and operating values for these two parameters was -4.37 and 0.02 for the compressor exit and mass flow rate, respectively. The model demonstrates that while natural gas and hydrogen provide less power when ambient temperature rises, hydrogen offers lower emissions, higher power production, and environmental benefits.
