What does the gas turbine moisture separator remove from the incoming air?

The gas turbine moisture separator is primarily responsible for removing excess moisture from the incoming air, as well as other contaminants such as salt aerosols and sand or dust particles. While the primary focus might appear to be on moisture, the presence of particulates like salt, sand, and dust is significant because these can impact the efficiency and smooth operation of the gas turbine.

The design of moisture separators involves using centrifugal force or other methods to separate these heavier particles from the air stream, ensuring that only cleaner, drier air enters the turbine. This is crucial because the performance and longevity of the gas turbine can be adversely affected by these particulate contaminants, which can lead to erosion, corrosion, and reduced efficiency.

In this context, the correct answer emphasizes the broader role of the moisture separator in maintaining air quality for the gas turbine system, which includes not just moisture, but also sand and salt aerosols that could cause future operational issues.