US 8,417,433 B2Granted

Dynamically auto-tuning a gas turbine engine

AssigneeALSTOM Technology Ltd

InventorsDonald Gauthier, Nicolas Demougeot, Peter Stuttaford, Hany Rizkalla

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Abstract

Tuning processes implemented by an auto-tune controller are provided for measuring and adjusting the combustion dynamics and the emission composition of a gas turbine (GT) engine via a tuning process. Initially, the tuning process includes monitoring parameters, such as combustion dynamics and emission composition. Upon determining that one or more of the monitored parameters exceed a critical value, these “out-of-tune” parameters are compared to a scanning order table. Upon comparison, the first out-of-tune parameter that is matched within the scanning order table is addressed. The first out-of-tune parameter is then plotted as overlaid slopes on respective graphs, where the graph represents a fuel-flow split. Typically, the slopes are plotted as a particular out-of-tune parameter against a particular fuel-flow split. The slopes for each graph are considered together by taking into account the combined impact on each out-of-tune parameter when a fuel-flow split is selected for adjustment.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for dynamically tuning a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:

monitoring parameters of the GT engine during operation, wherein the parameters quantify at least one of combustion dynamics or emission composition;
detecting that a plurality of the monitored parameters exceed predetermined upper or lower limits;
identifying the plurality of monitored parameters that exceed the predetermined upper or lower limits as exhibiting an out-of-tune condition;
comparing the identified parameters against a scanning order table to determine which one of the identified parameters is highest ranked;
selecting a fuel-flow split for adjustment based, in part, on at least one of the identified parameters exhibiting the out-of-tune condition, wherein the process of selecting comprises:
(a) using graphical representations to evaluate a set of fuel-flow splits, wherein a graphical representation includes one or more slopes associated with a respective fuel-flow split, and wherein the one or more slopes correspond with a respective identified parameter plotted against tuning values of the respective fuel-flow split;
and
(b) identifying a fuel-flow split that, upon incrementing its tuning values within an associated graphical representation, produces a greatest positive impact on the highest-ranked parameter and produces a least negative impact on a remainder of the identified parameters;
and
incrementally adjusting the selected fuel-flow split a predefined amount.

7 more elements

A computerized method, implemented by a processing unit, for generating one or more slopes used to dynamically tune a combustor of a gas turbine (GT) engine, the method comprising:

recording a plurality of operational conditions from the GT engine;
determining that a first operational condition and a second operational condition of the plurality of operational conditions are outside a prescribed range;
generating slopes for both the first and second operational conditions via a graphing process comprising:
(a) constructing a first slope associated with a particular fuel-flow split within a set of fuel-flow splits by plotting data points derived from the first operational condition against tuning values associated with the fuel flow split;
(b) constructing a second slope associated with the fuel-flow split by plotting data points derived from the second operational condition against the tuning values associated with the fuel flow split;
(c) overlaying the first slope and the second slope to form a graphical representation associated with the fuel-flow split;
and
(d) repeating the graphing process for a remainder of the set of fuel-flow splits;
compiling graphical representations associated with the set of fuel-flow splits, respectively, within a slopes schedule;
and
correcting the first and second operational conditions by employing the slopes schedule to select one of the set of fuel-flow splits for incremental adjustment.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/053,910Filed 22 Mar 2011 · us provisional application
Priority: 30 Apr 2010
Published: US 2011/0265487 A13 Nov 2011
Granted: 9 Apr 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification15 codes

F02C 7/228
Fuel supply systems: dividing fuel between various burners
F02C 9/28
Control of fuel supply: regulating systems responsive to plant or ambient parameters, e.g. temperature, pressure, rotor speed
F23N 1/002
Regulating fuel supply: using electronic means
F23R 3/34
Characterised by the fuel supply: feeding into different combustion zones