Method and apparatus for continuous prediction, monitoring and control of compressor health via detection of precursors to rotating stall and surge

An apparatus for monitoring the health of a compressor, comprising:

• at least one sensor operatively coupled to the compressor for monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• a processor system, embodying a Kalman filter, operatively coupled to said at least one sensor, said processor system computing stall precursors;
• a comparator that compares the stall precursors with predetermined baseline data;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the comparator, said controller initiating corrective actions to prevent a compressor surge and stall if the stall precursors deviate from the baseline data, said baseline data representing predetermined level of compressor operability.

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

• (a) monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• (b) analyzing the monitored parameter to obtain time-series data;
• (c) processing the time-series data using a Kalman filter to determine stall precursors;
• (d) comparing the stall precursors with predetermined baseline values to identify compressor degradation;
• (e) performing corrective actions to mitigate compressor degradation to maintain a pre-selected level of compressor operability;
• and
• (f) iterating said corrective action performing step until the monitored compressor parameter lies within predetermined threshold.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the health of a compressor, comprising:

• means for measuring at least one compressor parameter;
• means for computing stall measures;
• means for comparing the stall measures with predetermined baseline values;
• and
• means for initiating corrective actions if the stall measures deviate from said baseline values.

A method for monitoring and controlling the health of a compressor, comprising:

• providing a means for monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• providing a means for computing stall measures;
• providing a means for comparing the stall measures with predetermined baseline values;
• and
• providing a means for initiating corrective actions if the stall measures deviate from said baseline values.

A method of detecting precursors to rotating stall and surge in a compressor, the method comprising measuring the pressure and velocity of gases flowing through the compressor and using a Kalman filter in combination with offline calibration computations to predict future precursors to rotating stall and surge, wherein the Kalman filter utilizes:

• a definition of errors and their stochastic behavior in time;
• the relationship between the errors and the measured pressure and velocity values;
• and
• how the errors influence the prediction of precursors to rotating stall and surge.

An apparatus for monitoring the health of a compressor, comprising:

• at least one sensor operatively coupled to the compressor for monitoring at least one compressor parameter;
• a processor system, embodying a stall precursor detection algorithm, operatively coupled to said at least one sensor, said processor system computing stall precursors;
• a comparator that compares the stall precursors with predetermined baseline data;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the comparator, said controller initiating corrective actions to prevent a compressor surge and stall if the stall precursors deviate from the baseline data, said baseline data representing predetermined level of compressor operability.