Gas Turbine Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG)

A gas turbine heat recovery steam generator, or HRSG, captures energy from hot gas turbine exhaust and transfers it to water to produce steam. In combined-cycle and cogeneration applications, that steam can support a steam turbine, process heating, or other plant needs. HRSG analysis examines heat transfer, steam conditions, exhaust temperature, pressure losses, and the effect on overall cycle efficiency.

SimTurbo supports advanced gas turbine cycle studies that include recuperation, regeneration, and waste-heat recovery analysis. Its component-based approach helps users evaluate the gas turbine side of a recovery concept, compare thermal-performance impacts, and study how operating conditions affect available exhaust energy. Engineering consultation can help define a custom model scope for a specific HRSG or combined-cycle study.

A useful HRSG analysis starts with gas turbine exhaust mass flow, exhaust temperature, fuel and ambient conditions, turbine operating point, and desired steam conditions. Additional inputs may include heat-exchanger effectiveness, pressure-drop assumptions, feedwater conditions, duct losses, and control constraints. Clear component assumptions allow engineers to trace results and refine the model as equipment data becomes available.

HRSG systems seldom operate at a single design point. Ambient temperature, turbine load, fuel flow, exhaust conditions, and steam demand can all change available heat and steam production. Off-design analysis helps engineers identify performance limits, anticipate efficiency changes, compare operating strategies, and understand whether a proposed configuration remains viable through realistic operating ranges rather than only at rated conditions.

Yes. SimTurbo supports transient system operation simulation for events such as startup, shutdown, load changes, acceleration, deceleration, environmental variation, and fault conditions. This capability is useful when evaluating gas turbine response and validating associated controls. For HRSG-related projects, transient studies can help frame how changing exhaust conditions affect the broader recovery-system operating strategy and control requirements.

SimTurbo includes capabilities for designing and validating gas turbine control systems, including PID development, fuel scheduling, sensor and actuator modeling, protection logic, and closed-loop response analysis. These tools can support studies of the gas turbine controls that influence HRSG inlet conditions. For broader plant-level control needs, engineering consultation can help establish the appropriate simulation and integration approach.

The platform is suited to power-system and gas turbine design engineers, aerospace and marine propulsion professionals, control engineers, researchers, and university engineering programs. HRSG-related use cases are especially relevant to teams assessing combined-cycle performance, waste-heat recovery opportunities, thermodynamic cycle alternatives, or control interactions. Students can also use simulation to visualize thermal-system behavior during laboratory and capstone work.

Start by defining the engineering question, such as estimating recoverable exhaust energy, comparing cycle arrangements, or assessing an operating range. Gather available gas turbine performance data and target steam-cycle assumptions, then use a SimTurbo demonstration or engineering consultation to discuss modeling scope. A free 30-day trial is available for full product features, allowing teams to evaluate the platform before selecting a license.