Does Flownex provide any example networks for Engine-Based Power Generation or Gas Turbine Generator Set applications, where an aircraft-derived gas turbine is used for power generation? Additionally, is it possible to use Flownex to evaluate pollutant emissions, such as NOx, from these systems?
Flownex does provide gas turbine example networks that can be used as a starting point for engine-based power generation studies. One example model was developed using the Orenda 9 jet engine as inspiration; however, it was created as a demonstration model and does not represent a specific commercial gas turbine type or generator package.
At present, there are no example networks or case studies available for specific power-generation units, such as the GE LM2500 EXPRESS gas turbine generator set.
Regarding pollutant emissions analysis, Flownex does not currently support direct and accurate emissions prediction (such as NOx formation) as a standard built-in capability. To model emissions accurately, a Chemical Reactor Network (CRN) approach is generally required. This involves combining Plug Flow Reactors (PFRs) and Well Stirred Reactors (WSRs) with detailed chemical kinetics calculations.
These chemical kinetics calculations can be performed using a third-party tool such as Cantera, which can be integrated with Flownex through Python scripting. Some users have successfully implemented custom solutions using Python and Cantera together with Flownex to analyse emissions. Support for this type of emissions modelling is being investigated as a future development area, but no release timeline has been announced.
Therefore, while Flownex can be used to model the thermofluid performance of gas turbine systems and engine-based power generation concepts, detailed pollutant emissions analysis currently requires integration with external chemical kinetics tools.