System and method for changing the efficiency of a combustion turbine

1. A system for changing the efficiency of a combustion turbine operating at partload, the system comprising:

an inlet system configured for receiving an airstream, the inlet system comprising: an inlet bleed heat (IBH) system and an air conditioning system configured for adjusting a temperature of the inlet air; wherein the airstream enters the air conditioning system at a first temperature and exits the air conditioning system at a second temperature, wherein the IBH system is disposed downstream from the air conditioning system, the IBH system comprising a recirculation conduit coupled to a compressor section for recirculating a compressed air to the IBH system;

a combustion turbine comprising a compressor section, wherein the compressor section comprises an inlet guide vane (IGV) system, and wherein the compressor section receives the airstream from the inlet system;

a heat source located external to the combustion turbine and integrated with the air conditioning system; wherein the heat source increases the temperature of the airstream, wherein the heat source comprises at least one of a boiler, a power plant component, a solar energy source, a geothermal energy source, a fuel cell/chemical reaction, and combinations thereof; and

a turbine control system configured to control the air conditioning system and the IGV system to provide a bias that delays a modulation of the IGV system when the air conditioning system operates.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system reduces the modulation of the IGV system while the combustion turbine operates at partload.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system reduces use of the IBH system to heat the airstream while the combustion turbine operates at partload.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first temperature of the airstream comprises an ambient temperature.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the air conditioning system comprises a chilling system.

6. The system of claim 5 , further comprising at least one valve for controlling the flow of a discharge of the heat source, wherein the at least one valve allows for the discharge to enter the air conditioning system.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising at least one device that determines an ambient condition, wherein the ambient condition comprises at least one of: an ambient temperature, an ambient pressure, an ambient humidity, or combinations thereof.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the turbine control system is configured to utilize the ambient condition to control a position of the at least one valve.

9. A method of changing the efficiency of a combustion turbine operating at partload, the method comprising:

providing a combustion turbine, wherein the combustion turbine, comprises:

an inlet system configured for receiving an airstream, the inlet system comprising: an inlet bleed heat (IBH) system and an air conditioning system configured for adjusting a temperature of the airstream, wherein the IBH system is disposed downstream from the air conditioning system, the IBH system comprising a recirculation conduit coupled to a compressor section for recirculating a compressed air to the IBH system;

a compressor section, wherein the compressor section comprises an inlet guide vane (IGV) system, and wherein the compressor section receives the airstream from the inlet system; and

a heat source located external to the combustion turbine and integrated with the air conditioning system; wherein the heat source increase the temperature of the airstream, wherein the heat source comprises at least one of a boiler, a power plant component, a solar energy source, a geothermal energy source, a fuel cell/chemical reaction, and combinations thereof;

determining whether a temperature of the airstream is below a first temperature;

determine whether to operate the air conditioning system to raise the temperature of the airstream above the first temperature;

controlling the heat source to raise the temperature above the first temperature; and

delaying a modulation of the IGV system when the air conditioning system operates.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising delaying the operation of the IBH when the air conditioning system operates.

11. The method according to claim 9 , utilizing a chilling system to serve as the air conditioning system.

12. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising utilizing the turbine control system to determine the efficiency of the combustion turbine, wherein the turbine control system receives data on: an ambient condition; an output of the heat source.

13. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising receiving ambient condition data on at least one of: an ambient temperature, an ambient pressure, an ambient humidity or combinations thereof.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the combustion turbine further comprises providing at least one valve for allowing a discharge of the heat source to increase the temperature of the airstream flowing through the air conditioning system.

15. The method according to claim 14 , further comprising utilizing the turbine control system to stroke the at least one valve.

16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the turbine control system operates the air conditioning system to maintain the airstream temperature between the first temperature and a second temperature.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the turbine control system utilizes the IBH system to maintain the airstream temperature between the first temperature and the second temperature.