Thailand to upgrade GE 9F gas turbines at two power plants

General Electric (GE) has announced that it is helping the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, or EGAT, upgrade its fleet of four GE 9F gas turbines at two power plants. This is likely to help improve the operational and fuel flexibility of the plants while significantly reducing emissions to improve air quality in Bangkok and the surrounding area. 

By upgrading the gas turbines to GE's Dry Low NOx 2.6+ (DLN2.6+) combustion hardware and OpFlex AutoTune optimization software, the units can run on a wider range of natural gas compositions, including gas from both western and eastern Thailand. 

The AGP, DLN 2.6+ combustion and AutoTune solutions are part of GE's broader Power FlexEfficiency portfolio that delivers a suite of hardware and software-blended solutions to allow operators of existing GE F-class gas turbines to achieve continued optimal performance and long-term value of their existing assets. Apart from fuel flexibility, GE's DLN2.6+ combustion system reduces NOx emissions to stay within permit levels and meet strict regulatory requirements.

EGAT, Thailand's state-owned power utility, is expected to have better operational flexibility with its power plants, and provide the country more secure power generation capacity by enabling future gas supplies come from different sources, including imported LNG.

For EGAT North Bangkok Block I, the project also includes installing GE's Advanced Gas Path (AGP) solution in 2016 to increase power plant efficiency. The AGP technology will allow EGAT to enhance efficiency, reduce fuel consumption costs, expand the flexibility of the operating window with improved turndown rate and extend turbine availability with the industry's longest gas path maintenance interval. 

Charin Kanjanarat, EGAT Assistant Governor-Generation said, "One change is already visible: the power plants are currently operating at 9ppm NOx, resulting in an increasingly cleaner environment for Thailand's residents."