Gas turbines are often operated in extreme climatic conditions, ranging from salty sea spray on offshore platforms to dusty desert environments. The reliability of these thermal power machines depends largely on the efficiency of the upstream air intake filtration systems. These filters must protect the gas turbine from high relative humidity, rain, salt particles from sea spray, and dust, thereby preventing corrosion, erosion, and fouling of turbine components.

To classify gas turbine air intake filters, the ISO 29461 standard has been developed. Due to the wide range of performance requirements, the standard is divided into four parts.

TOPAS GmbH has developed a dedicated test system and suitable test routines that cover parts 1, 2, and 4 of ISO 29461. The GTS 114 test system enables comprehensive characterization of gas turbine filters under largely realistic operating conditions. The test system allows controlled injection of salt aerosols, dust, water droplets (sea spray), and water vapor. The test system is capable of precisely and reproducibly controlling temperature and relative humidity within defined ranges, provided that the ambient conditions remain within the specified operating limits. Relative humidity levels of over 95% rH as well as in the range of 30–40% rH can be achieved, in accordance with the requirements of ISO 29461.

The presentation will demonstrate the current state of the automated test procedures as well as the test system itself. The test system faces numerous challenges, as a wide range of operating and environmental conditions must be realistically and reproducibly simulated. To ensure consistently high test quality, user-independent, fully automated test sequences can be carried out, extending over periods of up to 120 hours.

In addition, important key components for filter performance testing such as flame photometer, particle counter, humidifier, water spray systems and aerosol generators (DEHS, NaCl, KCl and ISO A2 fine dust) will be presented. As well as the evaluation of the obtained measurement data such as differential pressure, particle separation efficiency, water separation efficiency, dust loading, salt and water deluge challenge. The creation of a summary report, which includes all determined and recorded parameters for a direct interpretation of the test results, is also a part of the presentation.

The GTS 114 offers filter manufacturers a technologically advanced platform for optimizing product development. By realistically simulating high humidity, salt loads and high flow rates of up to 11,000 m³/h, the system provides reliable data on filter lifetime and separation efficiency that significantly exceed the capabilities of conventional standard test systems such as the ALF114.