Automated tuning of gas turbine combustion systems
AssigneeGas Turbine Efficiency Sweden AB
InventorChristopher Chandler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine is provided based on measuring operational parameters of the turbine and directing adjustment of operational controls for various operational elements of the turbine. A controller is provided for communicating with sensors and controls within the system. The controller receiving operational data from the sensors and comparing the data to stored operational standards to determining if turbine operation conforms to the standards. The controller then communicates selected adjustment in an operational parameter of the turbine. The controller then receives additional operational data from the sensors to determine if an additional adjustment is desired or is adjustment is desired of a further selected operational parameter.
Claims17
A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensors for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including combustor dynamics, and turbine exhaust emissions, the turbine also having operational controls for adjusting various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements comprising the turbine fuel distribution splits, the inlet fuel temperature, and fuel-air ratio, and a communication link for the sensors and controls, the system comprising:
- a controller communicating with the sensors and the controls, the controller tuning the operation of the turbine in accordance with the following:
- receiving operational data regarding the operational parameters including combustor dynamics and turbine exhaust emissions from the sensors,
- comparing the operational data to stored operational standards and determining if turbine operation conforms to the operational standards, the operational standards based on operational priorities,
- communicating with the operational controls to perform a selected adjustment in an operational control element of the turbine,
- receiving operational data from the sensors upon communicating the selected adjustment to determine if an additional incremental adjustment is desired, and
- upon completing a series of incremental adjustments, selecting a further operational parameter adjustment, and
- receiving operational data from the sensors upon further operational adjustment to determine if still further adjustment is desired.
A controller system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensor means for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions and combustion dynamics from the turbine, control means for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements including fuel distribution split, fuel-air ratio and inlet fuel temperature, and a communication link for the sensor means and the operational element control means, the controller system comprising:
- means for setting operational priorities for turbine operation, the operational priorities including one or more of the group comprising optimum NOx emissions, optimum power output and optimum combustor dynamics,
- receiving means for communicating with the sensor means to receive turbine operational data,
- means for comparing the received data to a set of predetermined allowable values based on the set operational priorities and for determining whether tuning adjustment is required,
- directing means for communicating with the control means to perform a defined incremental adjustment in a selected operational control element controlled by the control means, and
- means for determining if the incremental adjustment conforms the turbine operation to the set values or if performing further adjustment is required.
A system for tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensor means for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions, and combustion dynamics control means for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements including fuel distribution splits, inlet fuel temperature and fuel-air ratio, and a communication link between the sensor means and the operational element control means, the system comprising:
- a computer controller communicating through the communication link to the sensor means and the control means, the computer controller tuning the operation of the turbine in accordance with the following
- receiving operational data from the turbine sensor means,
- comparing the operational data to a stored operational standard and determining if adjustment of the operational control means is necessary,
- upon determination of a required adjustment, communicating with the operational control means through the communication link to perform a defined incremental adjustment in an operational parameter of the turbine, and
- receiving operational data from the turbine sensor means regarding the adjusted operation of the turbine and comparing the operational data to a stored operational standard to determine if a further incremental adjustment in an operational parameter is necessary.
A method of tuning the operation of a gas turbine, the turbine having sensors for measuring operational parameters of the turbine, the operational parameters including stack emissions and combustion dynamics, controls for controlling various operational control elements of the turbine, the operational control elements including fuel distribution splits, inlet fuel temperature and fuel-air ratio, and a distributed control system (DCS) communicating with the sensor means and the operational element control means, the method comprising:
- establishing a communication link with the DCS and receiving data regarding the operational parameters from the sensors,
- comparing the received data to a set standard to determine if adjustment to an operational control element is desired,
- communicating with the DCS to perform a defined incremental adjustment in an operational control element of the turbine that is controlled by the controls, and
- receiving additional data through the DCS regarding the operational parameters of the turbine from the sensors and determining if the adjustment conforms turbine operation to a set standard or if a further incremental adjustment is desired.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.