One of the most unique innovations at ATCO Structures & Logistics (ASL) is our proprietary anti-icing system, developed upon customer’s request for GE LM 6000 gas turbines. It is unique in the industry. 

Over eighty units are in operation at various facilities since 2000. Someunits installed at peaking power plants with multiple daily stop and start cycles have presented good opportunity for value engineering and innovation. Presently as a result of on-going R&D process ASL is now supplying a fifth generation of product. 

Some of the drawbacks of traditional anti-icing systems are high pressure drops, turbine performance degradation, high maintenance and problems of environmental disposal. The superiority of the ASL system lies in its simplicity, reliability, low pressure drop performance, and ease of maintenance with no environmental impact, including minimal noise radiation. 

The ASL anti-icing system is designed to protectthe gas turbine engine from inlet ice forming conditions during cold, humid climatic conditions. Icing conditions aretypically encountered as ambient temperatures reach 40°F or lower, and a relative humidity greater than 50%. Icing can occur at any location within the inlet system, thus it is imperative to protect the complete inlet system. In ASL’s anti-icing system, this is achieved by adding preheated air at the filter house inlet. 

Traditional gas turbine anti-icing systems utilize an in-duct heat exchanger at the cost of high pressure drop and loss of engine performance, whether in anti-icing mode or not. Other anti-icing systems utilize compression bleed air which
reduces turbine mass flow, and again with significant loss of engine performance. 

The unique and proprietary ASL anti-icing system uses heat from the engine exhaust gas with virtually zero loss of engine performance. The system is configured in such a manner that ambient air is transported through the heat exchanger via a blower. The blower forces the fresh ambient air into a collector header, which in turn distributes the air through a series of tubes running along the axial flow length of the gas path and heat exchanger. The heated air is then collected in an exit collector and transported through circular ducting up to the first stage of the inlet filter. The heated air is thus introduced evenly over the face of the inlet filter. By providing this air upstream from the first stage of the inlet filter, the entire inlet system is protected. This configuration allows for the provision of the heated air very early in the operating cycle. The simplicity of this system allows it to be activated at any time during operation. 

ASL's proprietary anti-icing system provides:

• Lower overall cost
• Quiet operation with no environmental impact (no glycol disposal)
• Protection of vital turbine components
• Utilization of waste heat from exhaust
• Virtually zero system pressure drop
• Guaranteed minimum 10°F temperature rise at gas turbine mouth
• Minimal maintenance
• Adaptability to any gas turbine model
• Low noise option