Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for life management and monitoring of a high temperature gas turbine including components having a thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The method, system and computer program product uses design, monitoring and diagnostics, and inspection data to determine the cumulative damage and remaining useful life of gas turbine components and unit risk and classification probability to determine thermal barrier coating damage probability, remaining useful life, and inspection recommendations.

Abstract: A method for continuously monitoring the working condition of a heat recovery steam generator (“HRSG”) using infrared thermography, comprising the steps of identifying target locations inside the HRSG, positioning one or more infrared cameras to continuously monitor and record the temperature at each target location, generating continuous thermographic images corresponding to selected components and locations at each target locations, comparing the continuous thermographic images to corresponding, stored base line images and generating a set of comparative data reports in real time for each target location in order to predict the life span or potential failure of HRSG components.

Abstract: A method of forming a failure estimate for one or more components of a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) includes forming from failure models and at least one of fired hours and fired starts, factored hours and factored starts. The factored hours and/or starts are applied to failure equations for the one or more components to form the failure estimate.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a compressor of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of turbine data points, wherein the plurality of turbine data points may include one or more operating parameters, at least one of a computer discharge temperature (CTD), and one or more performance parameters. The plurality of turbine data points may be categorized based on the one or more operating parameters. A statistical variability measure of at least one of the CTD and the one or more performance parameters may be computed for each of the plurality of bands. An alarm indicator may be computed based on the at least one statistical variability measure. The method may also include combining two or more of the operating parameters, the CTD and the performance parameters using sensor fusion techniques. The alarm indicator may be computed based on the combined parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for advising and operating a power plant and related devices. In an embodiment, a power plant operator via a client 135 requests from a server 115 advisory information regarding a current power plant startup. The client 135 may receive custom advisory information based on data of an initial state of the power plant and data from past power plant startups.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use with a turbine engine is described herein. The turbine engine includes a compressor and at least one compressor bleed valve coupled to the compressor. The monitoring system includes at least one sensor that is for sensing an operational parameter of the compressor bleed valve, and a controller that is coupled to the sensor and the compressor bleed valve. The controller is configured to determine an operating mode of the turbine engine and receive a monitoring signal indicative of the sensed operational parameter. The controller is also configured to calculate at least one operational value of the compressor bleed valve based at least in part on the sensed operational parameter. The controller is further configured to determine a condition of the turbine engine based at least in part on the calculated compressor bleed valve operational value.

Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, provides means for acquired measurements of one or more operating parameters of a turbine engine. The system further includes means for determining an estimated value of a performance parameter of interest at a current time based at least partially upon the acquired measurements, means for adjusting a deterioration model at the current time based on a historical set of estimated values from previous times, and means for forecasting performance changes in the turbine engine based on the adjusted deterioration model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing benchmarking analysis for power plant operations comprise electronically accessing power plant operational data within at least one type of operation within a power plant, electronically analyzing data from one or more power plant components within one or more different power plant units in one or more collections of multiple power plant units to identify cycles and key events on one or more of a component level, a unit level and a collective level of multiple power plants, generating at least one scorecard summary of calculated power plant operational characteristics on selected levels of operation comprising one or more of a component level, unit level and collective level of power plant units, and providing the at least one scorecard summary as electronic output to a user. Additional optional steps include using the data from the scorecard summary to detect outliers and/or to cluster selected components, units or fleets having similar operational characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing power plant data include accessing data for one or more monitored parameters, generating a continuous time-series profile model (e.g., by generalized additive model and/or principal curves techniques) of selected parameters during instances of at least one given type of power plant operation, and conducting shape analysis by comparing the continuous time-series profile model of selected monitored parameters to an entitlement curve representing ideal performance for the at least one given type of power plant operation. Data associated with the profile modeling and shape analysis techniques may be provided as electronic output to a user. Additional steps or features may involve determining a capability index for selected monitored parameters, clustering together identified groups of profile models having similar profiles, monitoring and/or optimizing parameters to identify and improve power plant performance.

Abstract: A power plant is provided and includes a gas turbine engine to generate power, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) to produce steam from high energy fluids produced from the generation of power in the gas turbine engine, a steam turbine engine to generate additional power from the steam produced in the HRSG and a thermal load reduction system to reduce thermal loading of components of the HRSG and/or the steam turbine engine during at least startup and/or part load operations, which includes an eductor by which a mixture of compressor discharge air and entrained ambient air is injectable into the HRSG and/or an attemperator to cool superheated steam to be transmitted to the steam turbine engine and a detector disposed within the HRSG to facilitate identification of hot spots therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures such as electro-hydraulic valve (gas control valve) system failures. Exemplary embodiments include prediction of gas turbine trips due to component failures, the method including collecting raw gas turbine operational data and using the raw gas turbine operational data to generate a prognostic indicator for the prediction of a turbine trip due to the failed gas control valves.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of a compressor of a gas turbine is disclosed. The method includes receiving a plurality of turbine data points, wherein the plurality of turbine data points may include one or more operating parameters, at least one of a computer discharge temperature (CTD), and one or more performance parameters. The plurality of turbine data points may be categorized based on the one or more operating parameters. A statistical variability measure of at least one of the CTD and the one or more performance parameters may be computed for each of the plurality of bands. An alarm indicator may be computed based on the at least one statistical variability measure. The method may also include combining two or more of the operating parameters, the CTD and the performance parameters using sensor fusion techniques. The alarm indicator may be computed based on the combined parameters.

Abstract: A turbine performance diagnostic system creates a performance report for one or more turbines and includes an assessment module that receives operating data from at least one turbine and produces a performance report from the operating data. The assessment module includes a change detection module configured to determine when at least one parameter has changed beyond an associated threshold and generate an alarm and a root cause analyzer coupled to the change detection module that predicts a root cause of the alarm utilizing a Bayesian Belief Network (BBN). The performance report includes an indication of the predicted root cause.

Abstract: A system for creating a risk analysis for at least one turbomachine includes a database storing characteristics of one or more turbomachines and a processing module coupled to the database that receives the characteristics from the database and creates the risk analysis. The processing module includes a modeling module that creates a representation of the amount of rocking in a particular turbomachine based on the characteristics and a performance modeler coupled to the modeling module and that, based on the representation of the amount of rocking, creates the risk analysis.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that includes an image recording assembly for recording images of a stator vane of a compressor and a mechanism configured to magnetically couple the image recording assembly to a rotor blade of a compressor. Additional systems are provided that include image recording assemblies. Methods implementing the disclosed systems are also provided.

Abstract: A system for creating a risk analysis for at least one turbomachine includes a database storing characteristics of one or more turbomachines and a processing module coupled to the database that receives the characteristics from the database and creates the risk analysis. The processing module includes a modeling module creates a representation of the amount of rocking in a particular turbomachine based on the characteristics and a performance modeler coupled to the modeling module and that, based on the representation of the amount of rocking, creates the risk analysis.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for life management and monitoring of a high temperature gas turbine including components having a thermal barrier coating is disclosed. The method, system and computer program product uses design, monitoring and diagnostics, and inspection data to determine the cumulative damage and remaining useful life of gas turbine components and unit risk and classification probability to determine thermal barrier coating damage probability, remaining useful life, and inspection recommendations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring compressor anomalies includes an acoustic energy detector connected to the compressor and a controller in communication with the acoustic energy detector. The acoustic energy detector transmits an acoustic energy signal reflective of acoustic energy produced by the compressor to the controller. At least one sensor connected to the compressor measures an operating parameter of the compressor and transmits a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, A method for monitoring compressor anomalies includes sensing acoustic energy produced by the compressor and transmitting an acoustic energy signal reflective of the acoustic energy to a controller. The method further includes sensing at least one operating parameter of the compressor, transmitting a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, and transmitting an output signal based on the acoustic energy signal and the operating parameter signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an inspection system to inspect internal components of a compressor of a gas turbine engine. The inspection system includes an image recording assembly having one or more image recording devices, light sources, storage devices, and power supplies. The image recording assembly may be inserted into a compressor without removal of the compressor housing or disassembly of the compressor. The image recording assembly may be removably coupled to a rotary component of the compressor, e.g., a rotor blade, and used to record images of stationary components, e.g., stator vanes, of the compressor. The images may be inspected to identify wear and/or defects in the stationary components, e.g.