System and Method for Estimation of Gas Fuel Lower Heating Value using Energy Balances and Parametric Error Modeling

A device for improved operation of a gas turbine engine, the device comprising:

• a memory for storing a first error function for a plurality of fuels;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to
• receive first engine operation data for a first period of run time on the gas turbine from one or more sensors of the gas turbine engine, the first engine operation data having a plurality of performance data points each referenced to a discrete time,
• determine a first lower heating value (LHV) based on the first engine operation data for the first period of run time and the error function, and
• adjust a fuel and air mixture supplied to the gas turbine engine based on the first LHV.

An apparatus for operating a gas turbine engine, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving a first error function for a plurality of fuels;
• means for receiving first engine operation data for a first period of run time on the gas turbine from one or more sensors of the gas turbine engine, the first engine operation data having a plurality of performance data points each referenced to a discrete time;
• means for determining a first lower heating value (LHV) based on the first engine operation data for the first period of run time and the error function;
• and
• means for operating the gas turbine based on the first LHV.