Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for using a combustion dynamics tuning algorithm with a multi-can combustor. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine with an engine model can be implemented for an engine comprising multiple cans. The method can include obtaining operating frequency information associated with multiple cans of the engine. In addition, the method can include determining variation between operating frequency information of at least two cans. Furthermore, the method can include determining a median value based at least in part on the variation. Moreover, the method can include determining whether the median value exceeds at least one operating threshold. The method can also include implementing at least one engine control action to modify at least one of the operating frequencies if at least one operating threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for using a combustion dynamics tuning algorithm with a multi-can combustor. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine with an engine model can be implemented for an engine comprising multiple cans. The method can include obtaining operating frequency information associated with multiple cans of the engine. In addition, the method can include determining variation between operating frequency information of at least two cans. Furthermore, the method can include determining a median value based at least in part on the variation. Moreover, the method can include determining whether the median value exceeds at least one operating threshold. The method can also include implementing at least one engine control action to modify at least one of the operating frequencies if at least one operating threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine. The method includes measuring, with one or two calorimeters, the temperature, calorific value and relative density of a gaseous fuel in order to determine the Wobbe index, comparing the Wobbe index value measured with a predefined Wobbe index value for the gaseous fuel and regulating the temperature of the gaseous fuel with at least one heat exchanger in order to reach the predefined Wobbe index value. The method may also include using a second gaseous fuel, having a different Wobbe index from the gaseous fuel, or a fuel obtained by mixing the gaseous fuel and the second gaseous fuel, according to arbitrary proportions and variable with time.

Abstract: A method is described for the controlled purging of the fuel feeding system in the combustor of a gas turbine comprising at least one compressor, capable of compressing the air introduced into it through an inlet duct, at least one combustor, in which said compressed air is mixed and combusted with a gaseous fuel coming from a feeding duct, and at least one turbine, capable of transforming the energy of the combusted gas coming from said combustion chamber into work energy which can be exploited for activating one or more operating machines. The combustor is equipped with one or more burners, each equipped with at least one pilot injector and one or more main injectors for the adduction of the gaseous fuel inside the burner. The method comprises purging at least part of the main injectors and relative manifolds with a stream of gaseous fuel when the turbine is in diffusive flame functioning mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems and methods for using a combustion dynamics tuning algorithm with a multi-can combustor. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling a gas turbine engine with an engine model can be implemented for an engine comprising multiple cans. The method can include obtaining operating frequency information associated with multiple cans of the engine. In addition, the method can include determining variation between operating frequency information of at least two cans. Furthermore, the method can include determining a median value based at least in part on the variation. Moreover, the method can include determining whether the median value exceeds at least one operating threshold. The method can also include implementing at least one engine control action to modify at least one of the operating frequencies if at least one operating threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine. The method comprises the phases of measuring, by means of one or more probes (30) situated in correspondence with the combustion chamber (14) of the turbine, the amplitude of the pressure oscillations inside the combustion chamber (14) and the persistence time or cycle of the same oscillations, evaluating the behaviour under fatigue conditions of the combustion chamber (14), by constructing the Wohler curve for a certain material which forms the combustion chamber (14) for a predefined combustion frequency and for the amplitude and cycle values of the pressure oscillations measured, measuring the cumulative damage (D) to the combustion chamber (14) during functioning under fatigue conditions of the turbine by means of the Palmgren-Miner hypothesis and exerting protection actions of the turbine if the cumulative damage value (D) measured is exceeded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the combustion in a gas turbine. The method includes measuring, by means of one or two calorimeters, the temperature, calorific value and relative density of a gaseous fuel in order to determine the Wobbe index, comparing the Wobbe index value measured with a predefined Wobbe index value for the gaseous fuel and regulating the temperature of the gaseous fuel by means of at least one heat exchanger in order to reach the predefined Wobbe index value. The method may also include using a second gaseous fuel, having a different Wobbe index from the gaseous fuel, or a fuel obtained by mixing the gaseous fuel and the second gaseous fuel, according to arbitrary proportions and variable with time.