Method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for compressor surge in a gas turbine using remote monitoring and diagnostics

An apparatus for monitoring a compressor, comprising:

• at least one sensor operatively coupled to the compressor for monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• a processor system for computing stall precursors from the monitored data;
• a database system for storing said at least one compressor parameter and said computed stall precursors, said database system further comprising a look-up-table comprising average compressor values for similar compressors;
• a comparator for comparing the computed stall precursors with at least one of an average precursor value and a previously computed stall measure of the compressor;
• and
• a control system for initiating corrective actions to prevent a compressor surge if the computed stall precursors deviate from at least one of said average precursor value and said previously computed stall measure.

In a gas turbine of the type having a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine, a method for monitoring the compressor comprising:

• (a) monitoring at least one compressor parameter and collecting data indicative of the compressor parameter;
• (b) processing the monitored data using a stall precursor detection algorithm to determine a stall precursor;
• (c) comparing the stall precursor with at least one of a corresponding average compressor value, and a corresponding unit specific value to determine the level of compressor operability, and
• (d) if the stall precursor varies from at least one of said average compressor value and said unit specific value, performing corrective actions to vary the level of compressor operability to prevent a surge condition.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a compressor, comprising:

• means for monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• means for computing stall measures;
• means for comparing the stall measures with at least one of an average stall measure of similar compressors or a previously computed stall measure for the compressor;
• and
• means for initiating corrective actions if the computed stall measure deviates from at least one of said average stall measure or said previously computed stall measure.

A method for detecting and compensating for a compressor surge in a gas turbine of the type having a compressor, comprising:

• remotely monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• computing stall measures;
• comparing the stall measures with at least one of an average stall measure of similar compressors or a previously computed stall measure for the compressor;
• and
• initiating corrective actions if the computed stall measure deviates from at least one of said average stall measure or said previously computed stall measure.

A method for remotely monitoring and controlling a compressor to prevent a compressor surge condition, the method comprising:

• (a) monitoring at least one compressor parameter and storing data indicative of the monitored parameter in a remote database system;
• (b) processing the monitored data using a stall precursor detection algorithm to determine a stall precursor;
• (c) comparing the stall precursor with at least one of a corresponding average compressor value, and a corresponding unit specific value to determine the level of compressor operability, and
• (d) if the stall precursor varies from at least one of said average compressor value and said unit specific value, performing corrective actions to vary the level of compressor operability to prevent a surge condition.