Gas Turbine Technology for Operations and Maintenance Engineers

On completion of the course, you should:

• be able to understand the fundamentals of the many aspects of performance of stationary gas turbine engines used in the power generation industries.
• have a good background to enable an appreciation of the operational problems associated with gas turbines used for power generation.

1. Overview of Gas Turbine Technology and Applications

• Simple cycle gas turbine performance in terms of power, fuel consumption and thermal efficiency.
• Effect of fuel choice on corrosion, emissions, component life etc.
• Effect of ambient temperature and pressure on performance. Performance enhancement through compressor cleaning, intake water misting, intake air filtration, etc.
• The performance benefits of using Combined cycle gas turbine performance and cogeneration. The use of inter-cooling and reheat.

2. Rotating Components and Matching

• An overview of compressor and turbine design and performance, their characteristics and matching. Compressor surge and its prevention.

3. Vibration and Rotor Dynamics

• A review of vibration will include specific problems such as blade vibration and shaft critical speeds. Case histories which illustrate vibration with the fatigue failure of components. Rotor instability. Spectrum analysis for the solution of resonance, instability, and gear and blade problems. The Campbell (Spoke) diagram and critical speed maps.

4. Combustors and Fuels

• Combustor types, chamber design, fuel atomisation, ignition and combustor arrangements. The constraints imposed by fuels on the design and operation of the combustor. The wide spectrum of fuels, both gaseous and liquid, is examined. An overview of fuel treatment and additives is made.

5. Performance Analysis for Problem Detection

• The fundamental concepts of performance analysis as a tool for saving energy costs. A review of basic and applied thermodynamics for gas turbines. The use of performance data to pinpoint problem areas. Diagnostics related to fouling, nozzle erosion, blowing surge, choke, etc. Meaningful trending methods.

6. Gas Path Analysis for Stationary Gas Turbines

• Simulation of degraded gas turbines, the application of fault coefficient matrices, fault trees and other techniques. Implications for component life and emissions.

7. Gas Turbine Fouling

• The causes and effects of fouling in compressors including increased fuel flow, reduced efficiency, reduced mass flow, reduced surge margin, turbine blade creep life, etc.
• The effects of inlet air filtration on engine performance.

8. Gas Turbine Repair

• The techniques of inspection and repair of gas turbines are described in detail, including NDT techniques, cleaning, plating, heat treatment, welding, etc.

9. Gas Turbine Maintenance

• Maintenance techniques using borescopes. Spectrum analysis including acoustic monitoring. Techniques for checking and conducting repairs on impellers, diffusers, bearings, couplings, and foundation repair.

10. Special Considerations for CHP Gas Turbines

• Considerations in the design, operation and maintenance of turbines and associated equipment.
• Off design operational effects on heat recovery steam generators, STTG cycles and evaporative cooling.