A method for augmenting the net output of a gas turbine having an axial flow multistage compressor for acquiring and compressing a working fluid comprising air, the method comprising the steps of: adding increasing amounts of liquid water comprising liquid droplets to the working fluid acquired by the compressor, with the mass flow rate of the liquid droplets being increased over time to avoid destructive thermal stresses within the gas turbine which are related to the providing of increased amounts of liquid water to the working fluid, and thereafter, after achieving a desired mass flow rate, providing liquid water comprising liquid droplets to the working fluid acquired by the compressor at a substantially constant mass flow rate over a period of continuous operation exceeding about 4 hours to augment the net output of the gas turbine by wet compression. view more

The method of claim 14 wherein the liquid water ultimately provided to the axial-flow multistage compressor is in an amount which achieves an increase of at least about 10% in the net output of the gas turbine as measured against the net output of the gas turbine under comparable conditions but without liquid water provided. view more

The method of claim 14 wherein liquid water is provided to the working fluid in the form of a plurality of nebulized mass flow increments.

The method of any of claims 1, 5, 9, 14, and 16 through 18 wherein the working fluid acquired by the compressor over a period of continuous operation exceeding about 4 hours comprises at least about three-quarters of one weight percent of liquid water in admixture with fully-humidified air. view more

The method of claim 21 for augmenting the net output of a heavy duty industrial gas turbine.

The method of any of claims 1, 5, 9, and 14 wherein the working fluid acquired by the compressor over a period of continuous operation exceeding about 4 hours comprises from about two weight percent to about eight weight percent of liquid water in admixture with fully-humidified air. view more

The method of claim 23 for augmenting the net output of a heavy duty industrial gas turbine.

Apparatus comprising an industrial gas turbine having an axial-flow multistage compressor having an inlet for acquiring a working fluid comprising air, the apparatus further comprising: means for providing liquid water particles to the working fluid acquired by the compressor, and means for controlling angular distortion of the housing which is related to the providing of liquid water to the working fluid to a generally predetermined acceptable limit that prevents damage to the axial-flow multistage compressor. view more

A wet compression power augmentation method for adding nebulized water to a gas turbine, said gas turbine having a housing and a compressor, said compressor having a compressor inlet, comprising: nebulizing water in said compressor inlet; and adding water to modify said nebulized water in a plurality of nebulized water mass flow increments such that operationally-induced thermal stresses within said gas turbine due to the ingestion and evaporation in whole or in part of said nebulized water are sufficiently minimized to preserve structural integrity in said gas turbine. view more