Abstract: A turbine engine assembly for a generator including a turbine engine having a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section, and the turbine engine having a base load. The combustor section includes a combustor and a combustor shell. A flow control device is located in a flow path between the combustor shell and an inlet to the combustor. The flow control device effects an increase in a pressure drop of shell air flowing from the combustor shell to the combustor. A controller is provided for operating the flow control device to change a pressure drop across the flow control device, wherein an increase in the pressure drop across the flow control device results in a corresponding reduction in mass flow through the combustor for effecting a reduction in power output from the turbine engine during a reduction in an operating load to less than the base load.

Abstract: A gas turbine compressor (28A, 28B) sized to support respective maximum design points of other gas turbine driven electrical power generating system components (30, 32, 38, 46, 58, 68) during a least dense ambient condition within a design range of ambient conditions. A variable inlet (72) on the compressor automatically modulates to modulate airflow to supply just the amount needed to produce a rated output of the system throughout the full design range of ambient conditions. This safely and economically maintains rated power system output (94) over a full range of ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method of operating an electric power generation system (2). In one embodiment, a combustion chamber receives a combination of pressurized air (14) flow output from a compressor (12) and fuel (20) for combustion therein. The system (2) is operated at a relatively high steady state level of power output and then power is turned down by extracting a portion (34) of the pressurized air (14) flow before entry into the combustor (16). The method may further include throttling of air (14) flowing through the compressor (12) with inlet guide vanes (15). Features of the reduction in power include maintaining a characteristic combustor (16) minimum flame temperature with a volumetric percentage of NOx or CO emissions not exceeding those corresponding to the relatively high steady state operation.