Thermochemical Recuperation and Methanol Reforming for Efficiency Improvement in Marine Gas Turbines

The study investigates the enhancement of marine gas turbine performance by integrating thermochemical recuperation with methanol steam reforming. Experiments were conducted on a full-scale open-cycle gas turbine unit equipped with a modular recuperative system and a steam reforming reactor. Tests showed that operating on reformate gas with up to 64% hydrogen increased the turbine’s mechanical efficiency from 39.1% in conventional mode to a maximum of 44.3%, depending on the regeneration rate and fuel pressure. The optimal molar water-to-methanol ratio was 3.0, providing a favourable balance between hydrogen yield and system stability. Emission analysis revealed a 37% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions relative to direct methanol combustion, and nitrogen oxide concentrations decreased from 185 ppm to 160 ppm. The experiments confirmed that pressures up to 3 MPa improve conversion efficiency and combustion characteristics. The results highlight the significant potential of combining thermodynamic and thermochemical recuperation in maritime gas turbines to improve energy efficiency while achieving substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.