Abstract: Block loading may occur during the process of restoring an electrical grid after a blackout. A method and system for coordinating the loading of a combined cycle power plant to support block loading is provided. The power plant may include a gas turbine and a steam turbine. The method and system may provide load control loops, for the gas and steam turbine, which support block loading.

Abstract: A method detection of leakage through at least one first valve includes admitting an amount of fluid into a first control volume in operable communication with the at least one first valve, thereby pressurizing the first control volume. The first control volume is isolated and a rate of change of pressure in a second control volume in operable communication with the at least one first valve is measured. A system for detecting leakage across at least one first valve includes a first control volume receptive of an amount of fluid and a second control volume in flow communication with the first control volume. At least one first valve is located between the first control volume and the second control volume, and a rate of change in pressure in the second control volume indicates a rate of leakage through the at least one first valve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a gas turbine engine that includes at least one combustor configured to receive a flow of fuel from a flow control device and a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a piping system configured to channel the flow of fuel from a fuel source to the flow control device, a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a property of the flow of fuel wherein the property of the flow of fuel is variable over time, and a controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to receive the generated signal, using a flow model of the piping system and the received signal, iteratively track the progress of a plurality of discrete volumes flowing through the piping system, and control the flow of fuel using the flow control devices.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the gas fuel supply pressure requirements of a gas turbine, which results in an increased operability range and a reduction in gas turbine trips. According to the method, the gas turbine is allowed to start and operate at supply pressures determined as a function of ambient conditions and gas turbine compressor pressure ratio. This increases the operability window, and reduces or eliminates the need for gas fuel compressors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a gas turbine engine system are provided. The system includes a fuel control system. The fuel control system includes a plurality of sensors positioned about the gas turbine engine system and configured to measure at least one parameter associated with the sensor, and a processor programmed to receive a signal from at least one of the plurality of sensors indicative of a composition of the fuel. The processor is further programmed to determine the physical properties of a fuel at an inlet to the flow control devices using a flow model and the at least one signal, determine a corresponding correction to a gas fuel flow gain using the determined physical properties, and automatically control fuel delivery as well as fuel split between the fuel injection points on the combustor using the adjusted flow gain to facilitate permitting a relatively large variation in the fuel composition for use in the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A system and method to reduce the gas fuel supply pressure requirements of a gas turbine, which results in an increased operability range and a reduction in gas turbine trips. According to the method, the gas turbine is allowed to start and operate at supply pressures determined as a function of ambient conditions and gas turbine compressor pressure ratio. This increases the operability window, and reduces or eliminates the need for gas fuel compressors.

Abstract: Block loading may occur during the process of restoring an electrical grid after a blackout. A method and system for coordinating the loading of a combined cycle power plant to support block loading is provided. The power plant may include a gas turbine and a steam turbine. The method and system may provide load control loops, for the gas and steam turbine, which support block loading.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling variable inlet and stator vanes of a heavy-duty gas turbine electrical power generator compressor component upon occurrence of power grid under-frequency events. Variable inlet guide vanes and the front four variable stator vanes of the compressor are ganged together by means of a common actuation mechanism. Altering the angle of the ganged vanes changes the overall airflow consumption of the compressor and affects the amount of turbine output power produced. Predetermined operational schedules for varying the angular position of the stator vanes in accordance with compressor speed are defined for both nominal and under-frequency operating conditions to ensure optimum compressor efficiency without violating minimum safe compressor surge margin criteria.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling variable inlet and stator vanes of a heavy-duty gas turbine electrical power generator compressor component upon occurrence of power grid under-frequency events. Variable inlet guide vanes and the front four variable stator vanes of the compressor are ganged together by means of a common actuation mechanism. Altering the angle of the ganged vanes changes the overall airflow consumption of the compressor and affects the amount of turbine output power produced. Predetermined operational schedules for varying the angular position of the stator vanes in accordance with compressor speed are defined for both nominal and under-frequency operating conditions to ensure optimum compressor efficiency without violating minimum safe compressor surge margin criteria.