Overview
Until this project, RaM and the Termica Milazzo plant—located approximately 500m from the refinery in one of the most beautiful parts of the Sicilian coast—were totally separated from both an electrical and automation standpoint. Now, all electrical energy consumption of the Italian refinery is totally supplied by the upgraded gas turbine, which provides sustainable electricity with cost-competitive economics.
After the AFS upgrade, the 9E gas turbine now has a turndown of less than 40% ISO nominal power, corresponding to a target of about 50-55% of the entire thermal combined-cycle performance, drastically lower than its former 80%. AFS also significantly improves the 9E’s part load efficiency, thus improving the emissions sustainability of the plant and leading to an estimated savings of about 20%, in CO2, CO and NOx emissions.
Outcomes
turndown after AFS upgrade
working hours to complete the project
9E gas turbines operating worldwide
fired starts on AFS fleet
The new combustion system configuration increased the flexibility, efficiency, fuel savings and, consequently the overall sustainability of our refinery. In addition, by reducing load minimum turndown of the gas turbine, we can match potential energy trading market opportunity and add new revenue streams by the ability to sell additional power range to the grid which we were unable to do before.
Gianfrancesco Licandro
RaM 's Process &Technology Support Manager
The lower load operation positions Termica Milazzo to respond faster to bidding opportunities in a region that experiences frequent shifts in grid demand due to renewable power fluctuations. The combination of lowering operating costs and capturing new revenue streams can help the plant grow its profitability through more competitive operating profiles.
The modernization of GE’s gas turbine was part of a broader project, including electrical and automation Integration. The project lasted three years, and took more than 100,000 working hours for engineering and site work. The main gas turbine modifications were assembled and installed by Fieldcore and spanned almost a year themselves, including the first start-up, operational commissioning and tuning, and test validations.
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