Turbines

Retrofitted gas turbine runs on methanol with 80% less NOx emissions

Net Zero Technology Centre and Siemens Energy have successfully demonstrated the operation of an SGT-A35 gas turbine on methanol.
Retrofitted gas turbine runs on methanol with 80% less NOx emissions
(The SGT-A35 Gas Turbine on test bed. Image courtesy NZTC)

Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) and Siemens Energy have successfully demonstrated the operation of an SGT-A35 gas turbine on methanol, reducing NOx emissions by 80% compared to traditional fuels.

The demonstration was carried out at the RWG facility in Aberdeen, UK, which provides maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Siemens Energy industrial aero-derivative gas generators and power turbines.

The SGT-A35 gas turbine was originally introduced to the market in the 1970s. Siemens Energy used 3D printing to manufacture the new components required for methanol fuel conversion, demonstrating the potential for retrofitting existing gas turbines for decarbonized operations.

Charlie Booth, project manager, NZTC commented in a statement: “Methanol’s unique properties make it an exceptional choice as a retrofittable, low-carbon alternative fuel and it is great that we are able to showcase the opportunity that exists in adapting existing infrastructure to meet our net zero targets and energy needs.”

The demonstrations are being delivered through NZTC’s Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines project, one of seven projects under NZTC’s Net Zero Technology Transition Program (NZTTP).

This achievement builds on NZTC and Siemens Energy’s 2023 demonstration on the less powerful SGT-A20 turbine running on bio-methanol. This test showed CO2 emissions could be reduced by up to 75% when compared to conventional fuels.

Benefits of methanol

According to NZTC, one of the key benefits of methanol as an alternative to fossil fuels is that is can be produced from a variety of feedstocks. These include blue methanol, using carbon capture and storage, as well as bio-methanol or green hydrogen and captured CO2 (e-methanol).

Methanol produced from natural gas can reduce CO2 emissions by 10% compared to traditional liquid fuels and renewable methanol can cut CO2 emissions by up to 95%.

Methanol also reduces other emissions including NOx, PM, SO2 and smoke.

Originally published by Pamela Largue in Power Engineering International.

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