Enhancing gas turbine cooling with upstream fogging and nanofluids

In recent years, Nano fluids have gained significant interest in thermal applications due to their enhanced heat transfer properties. Among these, Al₂O₃-water Nano fluids stand out for their high thermal conductivity and effectiveness in cooling systems. A previous study investigated the effect of cylindrical obstacles on convection within an inclined enclosure using Al₂O₃-water Nano fluids, showing that geometric configurations strongly influence thermal performance. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing design and working fluids to improve heat transfer in advanced cooling systems. Building on this, the current study examines the integration of Fogging Upstream technology with Al₂O₃-water Nano fluids to improve gas turbine cooling performance. Fogging Upstream involves injecting a fine mist of water or Nano fluid before the compression stage to lower the intake air temperature, thereby enhancing thermal efficiency. The study also investigates the role of pipe diameter (¼ inch vs. ½ inch) on cooling effectiveness. Experimental results show that Fogging Upstream alone improves cooling efficiency by 12–18%. When combined with Nano fluids, heat transfer improves by 15–25%. Additionally, using a ¼ inch pipe boosts cooling performance by 10–15% due to greater surface area and induced turbulence. Overall, the combined system reduces intake air temperature by 5–7°C and increases gas turbine efficiency by 8–12%.