Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
(OP)
Dear all,
my colleagues and myself are in charge of detailed engineering a gas turbine project. The gas turbine will be located oudoor, in a hot and sunny region.
A this stage of the project, we will have to specify the painting color expected on the inlet and filtration duct.
Based on previous field experience, some people suggest that a white color is the best choice from a performance perspective. Because of its low radiation absorption coefficient, a white inlet duct is less sensitive to solar radiations.
According to some former operators, an inlet duct painted in white would slightly reduce the temperture of the air ingested by the compressor. On hot summer days, the benefit on compressor inlet temperature could reach up to -1°C, which would also mean addtional power output.
I am personnally not convinced that external color of the duct may really influence compressor inlet temperature... but it is not easy to bring a clear and convincing demonstration.
Any comment and operating feedback on this matter would be helpful.
Thanks to all of you.
my colleagues and myself are in charge of detailed engineering a gas turbine project. The gas turbine will be located oudoor, in a hot and sunny region.
A this stage of the project, we will have to specify the painting color expected on the inlet and filtration duct.
Based on previous field experience, some people suggest that a white color is the best choice from a performance perspective. Because of its low radiation absorption coefficient, a white inlet duct is less sensitive to solar radiations.
According to some former operators, an inlet duct painted in white would slightly reduce the temperture of the air ingested by the compressor. On hot summer days, the benefit on compressor inlet temperature could reach up to -1°C, which would also mean addtional power output.
I am personnally not convinced that external color of the duct may really influence compressor inlet temperature... but it is not easy to bring a clear and convincing demonstration.
Any comment and operating feedback on this matter would be helpful.
Thanks to all of you.





RE: Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
Personal opinion, having a white inlet actually allows for easier damage identification of the housing (black car, white car example). Black shows dusts (which you probably don't care) and white offers higher contrast for visual inspection. Also, having a white painted body lowers thermal fatigue of the material being in a hot & sunny area, like Arizona. The Air Force Graveyard frequently uses white paint on the planes to keep them from experiencing such harsh thermal cycles, making the plane more worthy for reintroduction into an air wing if need be. Just a thought...
Kyle
Kyle Chandler
www.chiefengineering.net
"To the Pessimist, the glass is half-empty. To the Optimist, the glass is half-full. To the Engineer, the glass is twice as large as it needs to be!"
RE: Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
All that said, I would go with the lighter color if it were my decision to make. Sorry, but any increase in inlet air temperature is too much increase in inlet air temperature in the case of a CT-especially one in a warm and sunny climate.
rmw
RE: Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
RE: Color of GT inlet duct : impact on performance on hot summer days ?
j79guy