The Simplified Combined Cycle (SCC) is a simple, low cost way for owners of combustion turbines to capture waste heat and convert it into additional capacity (up to an additional 30%) and plant efficiency (as high as an additional 20%). The SCC achieves traditional combined cycle like performance without the need for a steam turbine, generator, condenser, cooling tower and other associated equipment.

Using a patented steam injection method, SCC is also a highly effective way to reduce NO_x and CO emissions. Unabated NO_x, for example, is less than 5.0 ppmvd, which in many cases obviates the need for Selective Catalytic Reduction systems. SCC is an air emissions control technology that actually pays for itself.

In addition to reducing fuel costs, SCC can lower maintenance costs. SCC steam injection reduces the temperature of the hot exhaust gases, a key contributor to the need for periodic overhaul of major hot section components. It is possible to double the time-between-overhaul. SCC allows the gas turbine to come up to full load on its simple cycle schedule with the SCC benefits quickly being added as steam is raised. It also allows the unit to run at low outputs while maintaining emissions permit compliance. This is especially helpful for intermediate and base load plants.

By lowering a plant’s marginal costs (fuel and O&M), SCC provides a plant with greater opportunities for economic dispatch. Because NO_x is much smaller on per volume basis and in tons per year, air permits that ultimately end up restricting the number of operating hours should no longer be restrictive. Because CO is lower output, operation is possible while complying with permit limitations. The added revenue could pay back the investment in the SCC in less than one year, depending on the circumstances.

In this new era of tight finances, SCC makes sense by allowing plant owners to get more productivity from their existing resources.