Gas Turbine Control System for Degradation Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines experience performance degradation and increased operating costs over their product life due to component degradation and fouling, leading to reduced output and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a control system with sensors and actuators to adjust operating conditions such as firing temperature, fuel flow rate, and inlet guide vane angle to maintain target output values like power output and heat rate, ensuring efficient operation without compromising product life or maintenance schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gas turbine engine operates over its product life, then it generates power output, but component degradation and fouling cause performance deterioration and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts operating conditions (inlet guide vane angle, firing temperature, fuel flow rate) in real-time to compensate for component degradation and fouling, maintaining optimal performance throughout the product life of the gas turbine engine
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors actual operating conditions and performance parameters, comparing them against target values, and automatically adjusts control parameters to maintain desired output levels despite component deterioration over time
2Productivity
If operating conditions are adjusted to maintain target output values, then efficiency is maintained, but component stress may increase affecting product life
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operating parameters (inlet guide vane angle, firing temperature, fuel flow rate) within acceptable ranges to maintain efficiency while monitoring and respecting component life constraints, balancing performance with durability
3Loss of energy
If component degradation is allowed to progress, then operating costs increase, but maintaining optimal performance requires continuous adjustment of operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically monitors performance degradation and adjusts operating conditions without external intervention, optimizing efficiency and minimizing operating costs through self-regulating control algorithms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach maintains gas turbine engine efficiency and output by adjusting operating conditions to match target values, allowing for maximum power generation before scheduled maintenance or extending product life as needed, thereby optimizing performance and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
In the combustor, the compressed air received from the compressor is mixed with a fuel and is combusted to create combustion gases
Implementation Method 2
The combustion gases are directed into the turbine. In the turbine, the combustion gases flow against and around turbine blades of the turbine, thereby driving rotation of the turbine and any external load
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A system 10 includes a controller 38 configured to control one or more parameters of a gas turbine engine 12 based on a feedback and a predicted lifespan of one or more components of the gas turbine engine 12 to substantially maintain at least one of power output or heat rate above a threshold level in response to degradation or fouling of the gas turbine engine 12.