Ion Sensor-Based Measurement Systems: Application to Combustion Monitoring in Gas Turbines

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 1474-1483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Addabbo ◽  
Ada Fort ◽  
Marco Mugnaini ◽  
Lorenzo Parri ◽  
Valerio Vignoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Ion Sensor ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

Readings on Specific Gas Turbine Flame Behaviours Using an Industrial Combustion Monitoring System

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Giuliani ◽  
Hans Reiss ◽  
Markus Stuetz ◽  
Vanessa Moosbrugger ◽  
Alexander Silbergasser
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Dynamic Pressure ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Response Measurement ◽  
Efficient Operation ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

The new energy mix places greater demands on power gas turbine operation; precision combustion monitoring, therefore has become a major issue. Unforeseen events such as combustion instabilities can occur and represent a danger to the integrity of the hot parts and also lead to a limitation of the output power. This is usually accompanied by an increase in maintenance costs. The enlarged off-design operating envelope of gas turbines to adapt to a fast-changing grid has made this issue even more acute, necessitating an expansion of the operating envelope into areas that were — for many engines — not foreseen in the original combustor design process. A good understanding of what happens within the gas turbine combustor is crucial. Complex and costly full-field measurements such as laboratory optical instrumentation in precision combustion diagnostics are not suitable for permanent fleet deployment. For practical and financial reasons, the monitoring should ideally be achieved with a limited amount of discrete sensors. If installed and interpreted correctly, fast response measurement chains could lead to a better gas turbine combustion management, possibly yielding considerable savings in terms of operating and maintenance costs. The firm Meggitt Sensing System (MSS), assisted by Combustion Bay One (CBOne), initiated an applied research programme dedicated to this topic — with MSS providing the instrumentation and CBOne providing the facility and test conditions. The objective was to investigate realistic combustion phenomena in a precisely controlled and reproducible way and to document the individual readings of the heat-resistant fast pressure transducers mounted on the combustor casing, as well as the accelerometers mounted on the outer surface of the machine. Particular attention was paid to the correlation between these two types of sensor readings. This paper reports on the monitoring of the flame using piezoelectric dynamic pressure sensors and accelerometers in a number of different situations that are relevant to the safe and efficient operation of gas turbines. Discussed are single events such as flame ignition, lean blow-out and flash-back, as well as longer test sequences observing the effect of warming-up or the presence of flame instability. The measurement chains and processing techniques are discussed in detail. The atmospheric test rig used for this purpose and the different testing configurations required for each of these situations are also illustrated in detail. The results and recommendations for their implementation in an industrial context conclude this paper.

Progress on Combined Optic-Acoustic Monitoring of Combustion in a Gas Turbine

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Andracher ◽  
Fabrice Giuliani ◽  
Nina Paulitsch ◽  
Vanessa Moosbrugger
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Soot Formation ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Ignition Process ◽  
Spectral Bands ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Light Components ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

Abstract The need for better combustion monitoring in gas turbines has become more acute with the latest technical requirements, standards, and policies in terms of safety, environment, efficiency, operation flexibility and operation costs. This paper reports on a concept for gas turbine combustion monitoring using multiple probes that combine optical and acoustical measurements. The motivation of the project is twofold. On the one side, one wants to exploit the radiative feature of the flame and transform it into a piece of reliable information about the combustion status. On the other side, this information can be useful in terms of data interpretation or data reconciliation with other information coming from further sensors such as temperature probes, fast pressure probes or accelerometers. For this purpose, a set of multiple Rayleigh Criterion Probes (RCPs) combining optical and acoustical sensors is used. Detailed information about the RCP can be found in paper GT2017-63626, [1]. The focus is put on the detection of the flame, on the monitoring of the ignition process, on the quality assessment of combustion based on its spectral contents (including soot formation) and on the detection of possible combustion instabilities. The novel test rig used for validation of this advanced combustion monitoring concept is introduced, and minimal instrumentation including three probes is recommended. The split in red, green and blue (RGB) light components and their further analysis allows mapping the different types of operation. Solutions are proposed to bring the optical interface as near as possible to the flame and make it operational and reliable despite prevailing heat. The paper closes with a description of the ongoing tests on a pressurized combustion facility, and a sketch for a 3-RCPs based compact combustion monitoring system. The advantages of selected chromatic spectral bands are discussed, as well as the remaining challenges towards a full demonstration.

Ion sensors: application to combustion monitoring in gas turbines

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Addabbo ◽  
Ada Fort ◽  
Marco Mugnini ◽  
Valerio Vignoli ◽  
Lorenzo Parri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Ion Sensors ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

On-line combustion monitoring on dry low NOx industrial gas turbines

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1123-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Rea ◽  
S James ◽  
C Goy ◽  
M J F Colechin
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines ◽  
On Line ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

A Review of the Full Capabilities of Blade Path Thermocouples

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard H. Wisch
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Exhaust Gas ◽  
Combustion System ◽  
Control Functions ◽  
Gas Turbine Exhaust ◽  
Combustion Monitoring ◽  
Turbine Exhaust

Thermocouples have been installed in gas turbine exhaust gas paths for decades for control functions. Since the late 1970s, such thermocouples have also been used for combustion monitoring. The purposes for these thermocouples and the use of the information they provide are sometimes misunderstood. When properly situated and incorporated into a control system, these devices provide data that can ensure a properly operating combustion system, prevent catastrophic hot parts failures, extend component life, and increase availability. Although the use of blade path thermocouples for combustion monitoring has generally been associated with later model gas turbines using cannular combustors, their advantages can also be realized by the modification of older cannular gas turbines as well as turbines with annular or silo combustors. This paper reviews the concept and summarizes the benefits of blade path monitoring and the use of the temperature information obtained. A recommendation is made for the retrofit of older engines and the enhanced instrumentation of some later frames.

Heat Resistant Probe Combining Optic and Acoustic Sensors for Advanced Combustion Monitoring Including Detection of Flame Instabilities

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard E. Kraft ◽  
Fabrice Giuliani ◽  
Lukas Pfefferkorn ◽  
Nina Paulitsch ◽  
Lukas Andracher
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Optical Measurement ◽  
Measurement Techniques ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Acoustic Sensors ◽  
Heat Resistant ◽  
Advanced Combustion ◽  
Safety Margins ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

Jet engines have remained almost entirely mechanical machines for fail-safe reasons, despite the increasing sophistication of modern gas turbines. However, the trend goes toward more electronic devices for a better operation monitoring. This is the late approach called system of systems in aeronautics. New regulations such as the ICAO/CAEP/10 nvPM Standard set limitations on soot emissions. CO reduction is also an issue. One possible strategy toward more efficient combustion and less pollutant emissions is an advanced management of the safety margins. This is combined with an obligation to reduce operation costs. Therefore new measurement techniques are required for precision combustion monitoring during operation. The specific data requested covers the success of ignition, the margin before the lean-blow-out limit, the effective burner load conditions and the stability of combustion. Many optical measurement techniques are available for advanced combustion diagnostics (Warnatz et al 2001). Their main features are precision and non-intrusivity. However, if these techniques are commonly used in a combustion laboratory or on a test-bench, no application had a breakthrough so far on a flying system. The implementation of optical devices in the aggressive environment of a combustor is challenging. Some critical details are for instance the need for a permanently transparent optical interface or the thermal protection of the sensitive parts. In the scope of the project “emotion” subsidised by the FFG, a heat resistant probe combining optic and acoustic sensors was developed for this purpose. This probe will make advanced combustion monitoring possible. It will comply with the above mentioned rules or constraints. It could be mounted on the pressure casing with a view on the liner. It will monitor the presence or absence of a flame, it will report on the ignition success or failure, it will compare the observed flame power to the expected load, and detect the presence of a combustion instability. In this paper, several sensors are considered. Three different circuits for optical light intensity measurement are assessed. A combined optical-acoustic sensor arrangement called the Rayleigh-Criterion probe is introduced. This most promising configuration is tested and validated on an atmospheric combustion test rig. The presented results support the further development of this probe, first for use on test benches where this technology can achieve maturity, then towards deployment first in power gas turbines and eventually in aeroengines.

scholarly journals New blade tip-timing system for measuring rotor blade vibration of steam and gas turbines

2019 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 01040
Author(s):  
Piotr Kowaleczko ◽  
Romuald Rządkowski ◽  
Leszek Kubitz ◽  
Paweł Troka ◽  
Paweł Kowaleczko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Blade Vibration ◽  
Measurement Systems ◽  
Timing System ◽  
Blade Vibrations ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Run Up ◽  
Ethernet Interface

One of the crucial issues regarding turbine maintenance is registering blade vibrations. These vibrations can cause serious damage to the engine. Turbine blade vibrations were measured during nominal speed as well as during run up and run down. A new, low cost Blade Tip Timing (BTT) is presented in this paper. It composes of two main modules: the FPGA unit and PC unit. The system is based on the TerasIC DE0-CV development board controlled by the Cyclone V 5CEBA4F23C7 chip. Units communicate via an Ethernet interface. The system measures a signal for every revolution as well as up to three signals coming from independent rotor blade sensors. The PC unit records these data in .csv files. The system can be adapted to process the signals of additional sensors. The measurements of the 1st stage compressor blade vibrations in an SO-3 engine prove that the system works correctly, with no data loss during transmission between system units, and compares well with other measurement systems as well as numerical results.

Laser Vibrometry for Real-Time Combustion Stability Diagnostic

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Giuliani ◽  
Bernhard Wagner ◽  
Jakob Woisetschla¨ger ◽  
Franz Heitmeir
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Combustion Stability ◽  
Laser Vibrometry ◽  
Primary Zone ◽  
Methane Flame ◽  
And Control ◽  
Combustion Monitoring ◽  
Measurement And Control

Laser-based diagnostics for combustion monitoring are promising sensing techniques for the upcoming generation of build-in gas turbines measurement and control devices. Their principles are usually based on direct measurement of line-of-sight transmission, absorption, scattering or re-emission of laser light through the flame. We discuss here how a similar method based this time on interferometry can provide a refined analysis on dynamics of injected reactants and flame stability. Measurements are performed on a resonant premixed air/methane flame using Laser Vibrometry (LV). A method for detection of combustion instability within the primary zone is described, and dual LV measurements performed over the full flame cross section provide a refined analysis of the flow patterns. This technique, originally dedicated to structural dynamics, shows a high potential for low-cost and rapid flow characterisation during the benchmark tests of a gas turbine combustor. The discussion ends on feasibility for embarking Laser Vibrometry as a real-time combustion monitor.

scholarly journals Combined Optic-Acoustic Monitoring of Combustion in a Gas Turbine

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Fabrice Giuliani ◽  
Lukas Andracher ◽  
Vanessa Moosbrugger ◽  
Nina Paulitsch ◽  
Andrea Hofer
Keyword(s):  
Optical Sensor ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Soot Formation ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Optical Systems ◽  
Ignition Process ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Combustion Monitoring

The need for better combustion monitoring in gas turbines has become more acute with the latest technical requirements, standards, and policies in terms of safety, environment, efficiency, operation flexibility, and operation costs. Combustion Bay One e.U. and FH JOANNEUM GmbH initiated in 2015 an experimental research program about the feasibility and first assessments of placing optical systems near the combustor. The project’s acronym “emootion” stands for “Engine health MOnitOring and refined combusTION control based on optical diagnostic techniques embedded in the combustor”. The motivation of the project is twofold. On one side, one wants to exploit the radiative feature of the flame and to transform it into a piece of reliable information about the combustion status. On the other side, this information can be useful in terms of data interpretation or data reconciliation with other information coming from other sensors such as temperature probes, fast pressure probes, or accelerometers. The focus is put on several aspects of combustor operations: on detection of the flame, on monitoring of the ignition process, on a quality assessment of combustion based on its spectral contents (including soot formation), and on the detection of possible combustion instabilities. Promising results were obtained using photodiodes that offer an adequate trade-off between narrow-band sensitivity and signal time response. It is shown that it is convenient to combine a fast-pressure sensor with an optical sensor in a compact form; this combination has led to the so-called Rayleigh Criterion Probe (RCP). The split in red, green, and blue (RGB) light components and their further analysis allows for mapping the different types of operation. Regarding the probe packaging aspect, it is discussed that the level of light collection needed to keep an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio has been so far a restraint for the use of optical fibres. Solutions are proposed to bring the optical sensor as close as possible to the optical interface and to make it operational and reliable in prevailing heat. This contribution closes with a description of the pressure tests in a new combustion facility built for this purpose. A compact and portable combustion monitoring system including at least 3 RCPs can become an instrumentation standard within the next decade.

Extended Fuel Flexibility Testing of Siemens Industrial Gas Turbines: A Novel Approach

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats Andersson ◽  
Anders Larsson ◽  
Annika Lindholm ◽  
Jenny Larfeldt
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Gaseous Fuels ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Fuel Flexibility ◽  
Industrial Gas Turbines ◽  
Combustion Monitoring ◽  
Testing Fuel

Opportunity gaseous fuels are of great interest for small and medium sized gas turbines. The variety of gaseous fuels that Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery AB (SIT) is requested to make judgments on is continuously expanding. From such requests follows an increasing need for testing new fuels. The SIT novel approach for fuel flexibility testing, EBIT, has been to combine the single burner rig testing with a full scale engine test to give a cost effective and flexible solution. The combination of the two approaches is accomplished by using a separate feed of testing fuel to one or more burners in a standard gas turbine installation where the other burners use standard fuel from standard fuel system for engine operation. The separate feed of testing fuel can be operated as a slave to engine governor heat demand, but can also be controlled independently. This paper describes how EBIT has been implemented and tested. Combustion monitoring techniques and measurements to check behavior and predictions for full scale engine tests are presented. Results from testing with a blended natural gas with more than 50% of heat input from pentane, C5H12, in a SGT-700 engine shows that the EBIT concept is possible and powerful. The SIT 3rd generation DLE burner proves to be very fuel flexible and tolerant to high levels of pentane in the fuel. Less than 20% increase in NOx emissions can be expected when using pentane rich fuels. The burner is used in the SGT-800 47MW engine and the SGT-700 31MW engine.

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